Summary

Mustafa is walking along a construction site at the close of the day, muttering to himself about how “we cannot continue as we are” (24), as if he is rehearsing a speech. He is confronted by Omar who makes fun of him about his talking to himself. The pair smoke a cigarette together before the construction site overseer tells Omar to get back to work. It becomes clear that Mustafa has been chosen to speak to a group of men visiting from Jerusalem about their congregation. Salma has moved to Amman, leaving the house to Mustafa. Alia says that the reason she moved away was to prompt Mustafa into marriage. She has tried in vain to play matchmaker; Mustafa is not interested in any of the girls she picks, he is only interested in Aya. The house is a mess and although it...