Summary

Pages 43 – 57. As Oren describes Asaaf’s reaction to being put on morphine, his narration refers to how badly he (Oren) failed at all his placement testing and exercises, results that led him to his detested job as a mere driver. He then describes how a trip to get Asaaf’s prescription filled led him (Oren) and Yael to a light-hearted conversation about what a complainer Asaaf is, and then to a more serious conversation about Oren accompanying Yael to the American yoga retreat in Asaaf’s stead. After some thought, Yael agrees.

Asaaf’ doesn’t react well to the morphine, becoming physically ill and psychologically both more depressed and self-isolating. Meanwhile, Yael tells him about the change in plans for the yoga farm, and Asaaf indicates that he’s fine with it. Shortly afterwards, Oren and his mother return to work in...