Summary

In Part I, Chapter 1, Jonas revisits his parents', Yosef and Mariam, honeymoon drive from Peoria, Illinois, to Nashville, Tennessee. After marrying in Addis, Ethiopia, three years prior to the trip, Yosef left for America under unknown pretenses. His contact with Mariam was limited and sporadic. Before the trip, he waited in his Monte Carlo, honking for Mariam to finish packing and come out. Mariam let him wait. Looking out the window, she admired the beauty of fall, a season she never thought she would like.

In Chapter 2, shortly prior to leaving his wife Angela and revisiting his parents' trip, Jonas's father died. Angela was irritated by Jonas's seeming lack of grief. Throughout their relationship, Angela frequently noted Jonas's detachment and lack of emotion.

Before beginning his teaching job, Jonas worked at a refugee resettlement center where he and Angela met. Though Jonas had...