Summary

Chapter 10: The Return of Fares

August 2008

One evening when the family was eating, Haifa was pretending she was a waiter in a pizzeria. She and Nujood had recently been taken to one. Their dinner was interrupted when someone knocked on the door. Mohammed answered the door and was stunned to see Fares, his brother, standing there. Nujood felt faint – her beloved brother Fares had returned. Their mother rushed to the door, trembling and staggering. Fares was gaunt and taller. His skin was deeply tanned. Everyone greeted him with hugs and kisses.

They had heard from him for the first time in two years just the month before. Everyone was concerned about how he was doing and when he would come back. Fares called because he heard the family was having problems – all the way over in Saudi Arabia. On the phone...