Chapters 1-8 Summary

Every midnight for twenty-five years, Amina awaits the drunken return of her husband, Ahmad, whose activities, as a male, may not be questioned. She sees her vigils as a sign of dedication. Arriving, Ahmad talks cheerfully with his friends, but changes inside the house. Chapter 2 sees Amina helping Ahmad change clothes and wash and asking God to forgive his drinking, but happy that it renders him gentle. Chapter 3 sees Amina up at dawn preparing breakfast while servant Umm Hanafi kneads dough. The noise wakes the rest: Ahmad with a hangover; sons Fahmy, dreaming of Maryam and Yasin also hung-over; and in the next room: Khadija trying to anger her more beautiful sister Aisha. In Chapter 4, Ahmad finds everything laid out for his toilette. He washes, prays, and awaits breakfast with his sons. After wolfing that down, Ahmad finishes dressing, applies cologne...