Summary

Whenever Riad, his mother, and his brother leave Riad’s father, Riad’s father has a specific lengthy good-bye process. Riad’s father works hard not to cry so Riad does the same. However, Riad’s sadness goes away by the time he is on the plane.

Riad’s grandfather picks them up from the airport in France, and he takes them straight to a toy store where he buys Riad a rocket. Riad’s grandfather asks Riad’s mother why the family doesn’t move back to France. Riad’s mother tells him that Riad’s father doesn’t want to leave, but things are getting better—soon she will start teaching Riad to read and write in French. Riad’s grandfather asks Riad to say something in Arabic, but Riad gets nervous and doesn’t say anything.

That night, Riad eats dinner...