Chapter 15 Summary

Cairo is abuzz as new laws are debated and Amal is diverted from Anna in the desert by new contacts with old friends. Tareq 'Atiyya, her father's friend's son, declares Amal has not changed in twenty years. He is very successful, and more handsome than Amal remembers. When Amal brings up the problems in Tawasi, Tareq has his secretary ring up the governor, who is immediately not available. Amal and Tareq go to lunch, talk about the old days, her marriage and separation abroad, and his working to balance history and roots on his land.

Tareq intends to hire Israeli consultants to redesign the infrastructure. Amal is appalled at this betrayal of the Palestinian cause. Tareq objects the Palestinians are now doing business with Israelis, but Amal says they are gaining a foothold to control the entire Middle East. Tareq feels he, not...