Summary

Nadia and Saeed have no way of contacting each other. Saeed tries calling every insurance company’s office in the city in hopes of reaching her. Meanwhile, Nadia spends her lunch hours stocking up on flour, rice, nuts, powdered milk, cured meat, and other provisions. On the weekends, she waits in line at the bank to withdraw money. While in line one day, a man gropes her. When she returns to her apartment, she finds “a man waiting at the entrance,” and “bruised and frightened and furious” (64) as she already is, Nadia promises herself not to cry—until she realizes the man waiting is Saeed. He has brought Nadia a camping stove, fuel, matches, candles and disinfecting chlorine tablets. Together, they smoke a joint and listen to music.

Meanwhile, a “brave man” (66) waits by a door while another, second man emerges from the other...