Summary

Manar walks along the crowded port ignoring calls from waiters and vendors trying to usher her into cafes and restaurants. At first, she was overwhelmed by all the voices but after being there for some time, she grew used to it, finding it charming. She looks at a menu on a podium and asks the waiter if they have muhammara. He says they can make it especially for her and he takes her inside. She marvels at the scenery and how sensual and luxurious it all seems, almost enough to make you forget about the refugees and destruction. She had been adamant to visit Palestine and had flown from Manhattan shortly after finding out she was pregnant and getting engaged to Gabriel.

Manar has the letters with her in the hopes that she might be able to decipher them, find answers. In...