Summary

Riad and his mother return to France ahead of Riad’s father who stays in Libya a few more weeks. Riad’s maternal grandfather, whom he does not remember, picks them up at the airport in Paris. As they are walking through the airport, Riad’s grandfather begins using Riad to attempt to pick up younger women. Riad’s grandfather drives a Mercedes so that he can pull his camper. Riad’s mother is upset by the way Riad’s grandfather is talking about women, but when she comments on this Riad’s grandfather responds with, “You don’t want him to turn into a faggot!” (48).

Riad and his mother travel from Paris to Brittany to stay with Riad’s grandmother. Riad’s grandmother lives alone in an old fisherman’s house that Riad thinks looks like a haunted house. Bébette, an...