Chapter 8 Summary

Amal has organized the papers chronologically on "Anna's table" under her bedroom window. Amal knows how the story ends and wants to find out what happens along the way. Amal thinks about her married life and uncertain future, now that she is alone. She remembers the trees torn down to modernize Egypt. Amal's friend Tahiyya comes to visit, carrying her fourth child and an ultrasound of the fifth, whom God has commanded to come.

Isabel tries to convince Amal to go to New York with her, but Amal is tired of traveling. Progress on the millennium is slow because the Egyptians - like Amal - are cautious about telling Americans what is on their minds. Both are orphans, Amal realizes, and have broken marriages. Isabel has a dead brother, while she, a missing one. Amal has sons who fail to phone, while Isabel...