Part 2, Chapters 18, 19, 20 and 21 Summary

Mrs. Patton is eager to make Arun feel comfortable and tries to determine how she may prepare food which Arun is accustomed to eating at home in India. Arun does not like the extra attention and offers to eat his meals in town before and after his job at the library. Mrs. Patton would prefer that Arun instruct her on how to cook his favorite foods. Arun shares that he is a vegetarian, a fact that pleases Mrs. Patton. She has always had the same inclinations but has never been brave enough to resist her family's eating habits. Mrs. Patton happily declares that she and Arun will be vegetarians together and declares that they will stock up at the grocery to make delicious meals this summer.

Arun's first visit to a suburban shopping mall is filled with awe and...