Summary

Chapter 4 takes place three years after the death of Safwa’s mother. Under the orders of her father, Safwa has taken over domestic responsibilities such as cooking and cleaning. Meanwhile, Safwa’s older brother Fahd has been diagnosed with a kidney disease, and he requires regular treatments to live. It is becoming harder for Abu to find work. Safwa suggests that they move to America and find work there. Safwa the thinks about Islam, and she wonders if her mother is in an afterlife, or if there is no afterlife. Safwa then recalls some memories from her life in Baghdad, such as the frequent sounds of bombs in the distance. She also remembers a time when a neighbor tried to sacrifice a goat for Eid, but the goat escaped, became injured, and was euthanized non-sacrificially. Safwa sometimes ponders how the goat managed to...