The-Kite-Runner

["SOHRAB\t \u00a0HAD\t \u00a0TURNED\t \u00a0OFF\t \u00a0THE\t \u00a0TV\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0l\t \u00a0went\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0room.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0sat\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 edge\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0bed,\t \u00a0asked\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0sit\t \u00a0next\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0\\\"Mr.\t \u00a0Faisal\t \u00a0thinks\t \u00a0there\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0way\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0can\t \u00a0 take\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0America\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0me,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"He\t \u00a0does?\\\"\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0smiling\t \u00a0faintly\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0first\t \u00a0time\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0days.\t \u00a0\\\"When\t \u00a0 can\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0go?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Well,\t \u00a0that's\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0thing.\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0might\t \u00a0take\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0while.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0can\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0 done\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0he's\t \u00a0going\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0help\t \u00a0us.\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0put\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0hand\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0neck.\t \u00a0From\t \u00a0 outside,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0call\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0prayer\t \u00a0blared\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0streets.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"How\t \u00a0long?\\\"\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0asked.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"I\t \u00a0don't\t \u00a0know.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0while.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab\t \u00a0shrugged\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0smiled,\t \u00a0wider\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0time.\t \u00a0\\\"I\t \u00a0don't\t \u00a0mind.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0can\t \u00a0wait.\t \u00a0It's\t \u00a0 like\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sour\t \u00a0apples.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Sour\t \u00a0apples?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"One\t \u00a0time,\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0really\t \u00a0little,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0climbed\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0tree\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0ate\t \u00a0these\t \u00a0green,\t \u00a0 sour\t \u00a0apples.\t \u00a0My\t \u00a0stomach\t \u00a0swelled\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0became\t \u00a0hard\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0drum,\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0hurt\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0lot.\t \u00a0 Mother\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0waited\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0apples\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0ripen,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wouldn't\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0become\t \u00a0 sick.\t \u00a0So\t \u00a0now,\t \u00a0whenever\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0really\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0something,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0try\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0remember\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0 about\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0apples.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Sour\t \u00a0apples,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0\\\"_Mashallah_,\t \u00a0you're\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0smartest\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0 guy\t \u00a0I've\t \u00a0ever\t \u00a0met,\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0jan.\\\"\t \u00a0His\t \u00a0ears\t \u00a0reddened\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0blush.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Will\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0take\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0red\t \u00a0bridge?\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0fog?\\\"\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Absolutely,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0\\\"Absolutely.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0","\u00a0 \\\"And\t \u00a0we'll\t \u00a0drive\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0those\t \u00a0streets,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0ones\t \u00a0where\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0see\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hood\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0car\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sky?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Every\t \u00a0single\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0them,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0My\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0stung\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0tears\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0blinked\t \u00a0 them\t \u00a0away.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Is\t \u00a0English\t \u00a0hard\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0learn?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"I\t \u00a0say,\t \u00a0within\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0year,\t \u00a0you'll\t \u00a0speak\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0well\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0Farsi.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Really?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Yes.\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0placed\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0finger\t \u00a0under\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0chin,\t \u00a0turned\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0face\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0mine.\t \u00a0\\\"There\t \u00a0 is\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0other\t \u00a0thing,\t \u00a0Sohrab.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"What?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Well,\t \u00a0Mr.\t \u00a0Faisal\t \u00a0thinks\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0really\t \u00a0help\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0could...\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0could\t \u00a0 ask\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0stay\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0home\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0kids\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0while.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Home\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0kids?\\\"\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0smile\t \u00a0fading.\t \u00a0\\\"You\t \u00a0mean\t \u00a0an\t \u00a0orphanage?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"It\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0only\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0while.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"No,\\\"\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0\\\"No,\t \u00a0please.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Sohrab,\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0while.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0promise.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"You\t \u00a0promised\t \u00a0you'd\t \u00a0never\t \u00a0put\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0those\t \u00a0places,\t \u00a0Amir\t \u00a0agha,\\\"\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0 said.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0","\u00a0 His\t \u00a0voice\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0breaking,\t \u00a0tears\t \u00a0pooling\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0eyes.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0felt\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0prick.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"This\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0different.\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0here,\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Islamabad,\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Kabul.\t \u00a0And\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0 visit\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0time\t \u00a0until\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0can\t \u00a0get\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0take\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0America.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Please!\t \u00a0Please,\t \u00a0no!\\\"\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0croaked.\t \u00a0\\\"I'm\t \u00a0scared\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0place.\t \u00a0They'll\t \u00a0hurt\t \u00a0me!\t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0don't\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0go.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"No\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0going\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0hurt\t \u00a0you.\t \u00a0Not\t \u00a0ever\t \u00a0again.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Yes\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0will!\t \u00a0They\t \u00a0always\t \u00a0say\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0won't\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0lie.\t \u00a0They\t \u00a0lie!\t \u00a0Please,\t \u00a0 God!\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0wiped\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0tear\t \u00a0streaking\t \u00a0down\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0cheek\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0thumb.\t \u00a0\\\"Sour\t \u00a0apples,\t \u00a0 remember?\t \u00a0It's\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sour\t \u00a0apples,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0softly.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"No\t \u00a0it's\t \u00a0not.\t \u00a0Not\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0place.\t \u00a0God,\t \u00a0oh\t \u00a0God.\t \u00a0Please,\t \u00a0no!\\\"\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0trembling,\t \u00a0 snot\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0tears\t \u00a0mixing\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0face.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Shhh.\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0pulled\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0close,\t \u00a0wrapped\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0arms\t \u00a0around\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0shaking\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0 body.\t \u00a0\\\"Shhh.\t \u00a0It'll\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0right.\t \u00a0We'll\t \u00a0go\t \u00a0home\t \u00a0together.\t \u00a0You'll\t \u00a0see,\t \u00a0it'll\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0right.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 His\t \u00a0voice\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0muffled\t \u00a0against\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0chest,\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0heard\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0panic\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0\\\"Please\t \u00a0 promise\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0won't!\t \u00a0Oh\t \u00a0God,\t \u00a0Amir\t \u00a0agha!\t \u00a0Please\t \u00a0promise\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0won't!\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 How\t \u00a0could\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0promise?\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0held\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0against\t \u00a0me,\t \u00a0held\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0tightly,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0rocked\t \u00a0 back\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0forth.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0wept\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0shirt\t \u00a0until\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0tears\t \u00a0dried,\t \u00a0until\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0shaking\t \u00a0 stopped\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0frantic\t \u00a0pleas\t \u00a0dwindled\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0indecipherable\t \u00a0mumbles.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0waited,\t \u00a0 rocked\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0until\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0breathing\t \u00a0slowed\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0body\t \u00a0slackened.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0remembered\t \u00a0 something\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0read\t \u00a0somewhere\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0long\t \u00a0time\t \u00a0ago:\t \u00a0That's\t \u00a0how\t \u00a0children\t \u00a0deal\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0 terror.\t \u00a0They\t \u00a0fall\t \u00a0asleep.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0carried\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0bed,\t \u00a0set\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0down.\t \u00a0Then\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0lay\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0own\t \u00a0bed,\t \u00a0looking\t \u00a0 out\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0window\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0purple\t \u00a0sky\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0Islamabad.\t \u00a0","\u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 THE\t \u00a0SKY\t \u00a0WAS\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0DEEP\t \u00a0BLACK\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0phone\t \u00a0jolted\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0sleep.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0rubbed\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 eyes\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0turned\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0bedside\t \u00a0lamp.\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0past\t \u00a010:30\t \u00a0P.M.;\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0 sleeping\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0almost\t \u00a0three\t \u00a0hours.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0picked\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0phone.\t \u00a0\\\"Hello?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Call\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0America.\\\"\t \u00a0Mr.\t \u00a0Fayyaz's\t \u00a0bored\t \u00a0voice.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Thank\t \u00a0you,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0bathroom\t \u00a0light\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0on;\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0taking\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0 nightly\t \u00a0bath.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0couple\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0clicks\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0then\t \u00a0Soraya:\t \u00a0\\\"Salaam!\\\"\t \u00a0She\t \u00a0sounded\t \u00a0excited.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"How\t \u00a0did\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0meeting\t \u00a0go\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0lawyer?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0told\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0Omar\t \u00a0Faisal\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0suggested.\t \u00a0\\\"Well,\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0can\t \u00a0forget\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0it,\\\"\t \u00a0 she\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0\\\"We\t \u00a0won't\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0do\t \u00a0that.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0sat\t \u00a0up.\t \u00a0\\\"Rawsti?\t \u00a0Why,\t \u00a0what's\t \u00a0up?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"I\t \u00a0heard\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0Kaka\t \u00a0Sharif.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0key\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0getting\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0country.\t \u00a0Once\t \u00a0he's\t \u00a0in,\t \u00a0there\t \u00a0are\t \u00a0ways\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0keeping\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0here.\t \u00a0So\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0made\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0few\t \u00a0 calls\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0INS\t \u00a0friends.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0called\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0tonight\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0almost\t \u00a0certain\t \u00a0 he\t \u00a0could\t \u00a0get\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0humanitarian\t \u00a0visa.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"No\t \u00a0kidding?\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0\\\"Oh\t \u00a0thank\t \u00a0God!\t \u00a0Good\t \u00a0ol'\t \u00a0Sharif\t \u00a0jan!\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"I\t \u00a0know.\t \u00a0Anyway,\t \u00a0we'll\t \u00a0serve\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sponsors.\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0should\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0happen\t \u00a0pretty\t \u00a0 quickly.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0visa\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0good\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0year,\t \u00a0plenty\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0time\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0apply\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0an\t \u00a0 adoption\t \u00a0petition.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"It's\t \u00a0really\t \u00a0going\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0happen,\t \u00a0Soraya,\t \u00a0huh?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0","\u00a0 \\\"It\t \u00a0looks\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0it,\\\"\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0She\t \u00a0sounded\t \u00a0happy.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0told\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0loved\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 she\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0loved\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0back.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0hung\t \u00a0up.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Sohrab!\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0called,\t \u00a0rising\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0bed.\t \u00a0\\\"I\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0great\t \u00a0news.\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0knocked\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0bathroom\t \u00a0door.\t \u00a0\\\"Sohrab!\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0jan\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0called\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0California.\t \u00a0We\t \u00a0won't\t \u00a0 have\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0put\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0orphanage,\t \u00a0Sohrab.\t \u00a0We're\t \u00a0going\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0America,\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I.\t \u00a0Did\t \u00a0 you\t \u00a0hear\t \u00a0me?\t \u00a0We're\t \u00a0going\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0America!\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0pushed\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0door\t \u00a0open.\t \u00a0Stepped\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0bathroom.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Suddenly\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0knees,\t \u00a0screaming.\t \u00a0Screaming\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0clenched\t \u00a0 teeth.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Screaming\t \u00a0until\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0thought\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0throat\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0rip\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0chest\t \u00a0explode.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Later,\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0still\t \u00a0screaming\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0ambulance\t \u00a0arrived.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 TWENTY-\u00ad\u2010FIVE\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 They\t \u00a0won't\t \u00a0let\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0in.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0see\t \u00a0them\t \u00a0wheel\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0set\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0double\t \u00a0doors\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0follow.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0burst\t \u00a0 through\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0doors,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0smell\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0iodine\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0peroxide\t \u00a0hits\t \u00a0me,\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0time\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0 see\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0two\t \u00a0men\t \u00a0wearing\t \u00a0surgical\t \u00a0caps\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0woman\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0huddling\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0 gurney.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0white\t \u00a0sheet\t \u00a0spills\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0side\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0gurney\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0brushes\t \u00a0against\t \u00a0 grimy\t \u00a0checkered\t \u00a0tiles.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0pair\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0small,\t \u00a0bloody\t \u00a0feet\t \u00a0poke\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0under\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sheet\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0see\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0big\t \u00a0toenail\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0left\t \u00a0foot\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0chipped.\t \u00a0Then\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0tall,\t \u00a0thickset\t \u00a0man\t \u00a0","in\t \u00a0blue\t \u00a0presses\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0palm\t \u00a0against\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0chest\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0he's\t \u00a0pushing\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0doors,\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0wedding\t \u00a0band\t \u00a0cold\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0skin.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0shove\t \u00a0forward\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0curse\t \u00a0him,\t \u00a0 but\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0says\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0cannot\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0here,\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0says\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0English,\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0voice\t \u00a0polite\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0firm.\t \u00a0 \\\"You\t \u00a0must\t \u00a0wait,\\\"\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0says,\t \u00a0leading\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0waiting\t \u00a0area,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0now\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 double\t \u00a0doors\t \u00a0swing\t \u00a0shut\t \u00a0behind\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0sigh\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0see\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0top\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 men's\t \u00a0surgical\t \u00a0caps\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0doors'\t \u00a0narrow\t \u00a0rectangular\t \u00a0windows.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 He\t \u00a0leaves\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0wide,\t \u00a0windowless\t \u00a0corridor\t \u00a0crammed\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0people\t \u00a0sitting\t \u00a0 on\t \u00a0metallic\t \u00a0folding\t \u00a0chairs\t \u00a0set\t \u00a0along\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0walls,\t \u00a0others\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0thin\t \u00a0frayed\t \u00a0carpet.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 want\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0scream\t \u00a0again,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0remember\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0last\t \u00a0time\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0felt\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0way,\t \u00a0riding\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0 Baba\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0tank\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0fuel\t \u00a0truck,\t \u00a0buried\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0dark\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0other\t \u00a0refugees.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 want\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0tear\t \u00a0myself\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0place,\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0reality\t \u00a0rise\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0cloud\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0float\t \u00a0 away,\t \u00a0melt\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0humid\t \u00a0summer\t \u00a0night\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0dissolve\t \u00a0somewhere\t \u00a0far,\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 hills.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0am\t \u00a0here,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0legs\t \u00a0blocks\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0concrete,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0lungs\t \u00a0empty\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0air,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0throat\t \u00a0 burning.\t \u00a0There\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0no\t \u00a0floating\t \u00a0away.\t \u00a0There\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0no\t \u00a0other\t \u00a0reality\t \u00a0tonight.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 close\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0nostrils\t \u00a0fill\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0smells\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0corridor,\t \u00a0sweat\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 ammonia,\t \u00a0rubbing\t \u00a0alcohol\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0curry.\t \u00a0On\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0ceiling,\t \u00a0moths\t \u00a0fling\t \u00a0themselves\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0dull\t \u00a0gray\t \u00a0light\t \u00a0tubes\t \u00a0running\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0length\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0corridor\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0hear\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0papery\t \u00a0 flapping\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0their\t \u00a0wings.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0hear\t \u00a0chatter,\t \u00a0muted\t \u00a0sobbing,\t \u00a0sniffling,\t \u00a0someone\t \u00a0 moaning,\t \u00a0someone\t \u00a0else\t \u00a0sighing,\t \u00a0elevator\t \u00a0doors\t \u00a0opening\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0bing,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0operator\t \u00a0 paging\t \u00a0someone\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Urdu.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0open\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0again\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0do.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0look\t \u00a0around,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 heart\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0jackhammer\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0chest,\t \u00a0blood\t \u00a0thudding\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0ears.\t \u00a0There\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0dark\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0 supply\t \u00a0room\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0left.\t \u00a0In\t \u00a0it,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0find\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0need.\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0do.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0grab\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0white\t \u00a0bed\t \u00a0sheet\t \u00a0 from\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0pile\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0folded\t \u00a0linens\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0carry\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0corridor.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0see\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0nurse\t \u00a0 talking\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0policeman\t \u00a0near\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0restroom.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0take\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0nurse's\t \u00a0elbow\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0pull,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 want\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0which\t \u00a0way\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0west.\t \u00a0She\t \u00a0doesn't\t \u00a0understand\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0lines\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0 face\t \u00a0deepen\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0frowns.\t \u00a0My\t \u00a0throat\t \u00a0aches\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0sting\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0sweat,\t \u00a0 each\t \u00a0breath\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0inhaling\t \u00a0fire,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0think\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0am\t \u00a0weeping.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0ask\t \u00a0again.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0beg.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0 policeman\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0who\t \u00a0points.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0throw\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0makeshift\t \u00a0_jai-\u00ad\u2010namaz_,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0prayer\t \u00a0rug,\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0floor\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0get\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0 my\t \u00a0knees,\t \u00a0lower\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0forehead\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0ground,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0tears\t \u00a0soaking\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sheet.\t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0bow\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0west.\t \u00a0Then\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0remember\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0haven't\t \u00a0prayed\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0fifteen\t \u00a0years.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0 long\t \u00a0forgotten\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0words.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0doesn't\t \u00a0matter,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0utter\t \u00a0those\t \u00a0few\t \u00a0words\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0still\t \u00a0 remember:\t \u00a0??La\t \u00a0iflaha\t \u00a0ii**\t \u00a0Allah,\t \u00a0Muhammad\t \u00a0u\t \u00a0rasul\t \u00a0ullah.\t \u00a0There\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0no\t \u00a0God\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0 Allah\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Muhammad\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0His\t \u00a0messenger.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0see\t \u00a0now\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0Baba\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0wrong,\t \u00a0there\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0 a\t \u00a0God,\t \u00a0there\t \u00a0always\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0been.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0see\t \u00a0Him\t \u00a0here,\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0people\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0 corridor\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0desperation.\t \u00a0This\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0real\t \u00a0house\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0God,\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0where\t \u00a0those\t \u00a0who\t \u00a0 have\t \u00a0lost\t \u00a0God\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0find\t \u00a0Him,\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0white\t \u00a0masjid\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0its\t \u00a0bright\t \u00a0diamond\t \u00a0lights\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0towering\t \u00a0minarets.\t \u00a0There\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0God,\t \u00a0there\t \u00a0has\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0be,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0now\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0pray,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0 pray\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0forgive\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0neglected\t \u00a0Him\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0these\t \u00a0years,\t \u00a0forgive\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 have\t \u00a0betrayed,\t \u00a0lied,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0sinned\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0impunity\t \u00a0only\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0turn\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0Him\t \u00a0now\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 hour\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0need,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0pray\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0merciful,\t \u00a0benevolent,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0gracious\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0His\t \u00a0book\t \u00a0","says\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0is.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0bow\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0west\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0kiss\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0ground\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0promise\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0do\t \u00a0 _zakat_,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0do\t \u00a0_namaz_,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0fast\t \u00a0during\t \u00a0Ramadan\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0Ramadan\t \u00a0has\t \u00a0 passed\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0go\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0fasting,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0commit\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0memory\t \u00a0every\t \u00a0last\t \u00a0word\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0His\t \u00a0holy\t \u00a0 book,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0set\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0pilgrimage\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0sweltering\t \u00a0city\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0desert\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0bow\t \u00a0 before\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Ka'bah\t \u00a0too.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0do\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0think\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Him\t \u00a0every\t \u00a0day\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0 this\t \u00a0day\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0only\t \u00a0grants\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0wish:\t \u00a0My\t \u00a0hands\t \u00a0are\t \u00a0stained\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0 Hassan's\t \u00a0blood;\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0pray\t \u00a0God\t \u00a0doesn't\t \u00a0let\t \u00a0them\t \u00a0get\t \u00a0stained\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0blood\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0boy\t \u00a0 too.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0hear\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0whimpering\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0realize\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0mine,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0lips\t \u00a0are\t \u00a0salty\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0tears\t \u00a0 trickling\t \u00a0down\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0face.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0feel\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0everyone\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0corridor\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0still\t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0bow\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0west.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0pray.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0pray\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0sins\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0caught\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0way\t \u00a0 I'd\t \u00a0always\t \u00a0feared\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0would.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 A\t \u00a0STARLESS,\t \u00a0BLACK\t \u00a0NIGHT\t \u00a0falls\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0Islamabad.\t \u00a0It's\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0few\t \u00a0hours\t \u00a0later\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0am\t \u00a0 sitting\t \u00a0now\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0floor\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0tiny\t \u00a0lounge\t \u00a0off\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0corridor\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0leads\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 emergency\t \u00a0ward.\t \u00a0Before\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0dull\t \u00a0brown\t \u00a0coffee\t \u00a0table\t \u00a0cluttered\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0 newspapers\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0dog-\u00ad\u2010eared\t \u00a0magazines-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010an\t \u00a0April\t \u00a01996\t \u00a0issue\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Time;\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0Pakistani\t \u00a0 newspaper\t \u00a0showing\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0face\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0young\t \u00a0boy\t \u00a0who\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0hit\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0killed\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0train\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 week\t \u00a0before;\t \u00a0an\t \u00a0entertainment\t \u00a0magazine\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0smiling\t \u00a0Hollywood\t \u00a0actors\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0its\t \u00a0 glossy\t \u00a0cover.\t \u00a0There\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0an\t \u00a0old\t \u00a0woman\t \u00a0wearing\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0jade\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0shalwar-\u00ad\u2010kameez\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0 crocheted\t \u00a0shawl\t \u00a0nodding\t \u00a0off\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0wheelchair\t \u00a0across\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0Every\t \u00a0once\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0 while,\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0stirs\t \u00a0awake\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0mutters\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0prayer\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Arabic.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wonder\t \u00a0tiredly\t \u00a0whose\t \u00a0 prayers\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0heard\t \u00a0tonight,\t \u00a0hers\t \u00a0or\t \u00a0mine.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0picture\t \u00a0Sohrab's\t \u00a0face,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0pointed\t \u00a0 meaty\t \u00a0chin,\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0small\t \u00a0seashell\t \u00a0ears,\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0slanting\t \u00a0bamboo-\u00ad\u2010leaf\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0much\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0 his\t \u00a0father's.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0sorrow\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0black\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0night\t \u00a0outside\t \u00a0invades\t \u00a0me,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0feel\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 throat\t \u00a0clamping.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0need\t \u00a0air.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0get\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0open\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0windows.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0air\t \u00a0coming\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0screen\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0 musty\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0hot-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010it\t \u00a0smells\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0overripe\t \u00a0dates\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0dung.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0force\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0lungs\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0 big\t \u00a0heaps,\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0doesn't\t \u00a0clear\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0clamping\t \u00a0feeling\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0chest.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0drop\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 floor.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0pick\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Time\t \u00a0magazine\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0flip\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0pages.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0can't\t \u00a0read,\t \u00a0 can't\t \u00a0focus\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0anything.\t \u00a0So\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0toss\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0table\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0go\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0staring\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 zigzagging\t \u00a0pattern\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0cracks\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0cement\t \u00a0floor,\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0cobwebs\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 ceiling\t \u00a0where\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0walls\t \u00a0meet,\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0dead\t \u00a0flies\t \u00a0littering\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0windowsill.\t \u00a0Mostly,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 stare\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0clock\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0wall.\t \u00a0It's\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0past\t \u00a04\t \u00a0A.M.\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0shut\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 room\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0swinging\t \u00a0double\t \u00a0doors\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0five\t \u00a0hours\t \u00a0now.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0still\t \u00a0haven't\t \u00a0 heard\t \u00a0any\t \u00a0news.\t \u00a0","\u00a0 \t \u00a0 The\t \u00a0floor\t \u00a0beneath\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0begins\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0feel\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0part\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0body,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 breathing\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0growing\t \u00a0heavier,\t \u00a0slower.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0sleep,\t \u00a0shut\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0lie\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 head\t \u00a0down\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0cold,\t \u00a0dusty\t \u00a0floor.\t \u00a0Drift\t \u00a0off.\t \u00a0When\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wake\t \u00a0up,\t \u00a0maybe\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0 discover\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0everything\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0saw\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hotel\t \u00a0bathroom\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0part\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0dream:\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 water\t \u00a0drops\t \u00a0dripping\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0faucet\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0landing\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0plink\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0bloody\t \u00a0 bath\t \u00a0water;\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0left\t \u00a0arm\t \u00a0dangling\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0side\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0tub,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0blood-\u00ad\u2010soaked\t \u00a0razor\t \u00a0 sitting\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0toilet\t \u00a0tank-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010the\t \u00a0same\t \u00a0razor\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0shaved\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0day\t \u00a0before-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010and\t \u00a0 his\t \u00a0eyes,\t \u00a0still\t \u00a0half\t \u00a0open\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0light\t \u00a0less.\t \u00a0That\t \u00a0more\t \u00a0than\t \u00a0anything.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0forget\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0eyes.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Soon,\t \u00a0sleep\t \u00a0comes\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0let\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0take\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0dream\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0things\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0can't\t \u00a0remember\t \u00a0 later.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 SOMEONE\t \u00a0IS\t \u00a0TAPPING\t \u00a0ME\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0shoulder.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0open\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0eyes.\t \u00a0There\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0man\t \u00a0 kneeling\t \u00a0beside\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0wearing\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0cap\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0men\t \u00a0behind\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0swinging\t \u00a0double\t \u00a0 doors\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0paper\t \u00a0surgical\t \u00a0mask\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0mouth-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010my\t \u00a0heart\t \u00a0sinks\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0see\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0 drop\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0blood\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0mask.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0has\t \u00a0taped\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0picture\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0doe-\u00ad\u2010eyed\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0girl\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0 beeper.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0unsnaps\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0mask\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I'm\t \u00a0glad\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0don't\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0look\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0Sohrab's\t \u00a0blood\t \u00a0 anymore.\t \u00a0His\t \u00a0skin\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0dark\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0imported\t \u00a0Swiss\t \u00a0chocolate\t \u00a0Hassan\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0used\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0 buy\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0bazaar\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Shar-\u00ad\u2010e-\u00ad\u2010Nau;\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0has\t \u00a0thinning\t \u00a0hair\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0hazel\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0topped\t \u00a0 with\t \u00a0curved\t \u00a0eyelashes.\t \u00a0In\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0British\t \u00a0accent,\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0tells\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0name\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0Dr.\t \u00a0Nawaz,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 suddenly\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0away\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0man,\t \u00a0because\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0don't\t \u00a0think\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0can\t \u00a0bear\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0 hear\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0has\t \u00a0come\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0tell\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0says\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0boy\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0cut\t \u00a0himself\t \u00a0deeply\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0 lost\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0great\t \u00a0deal\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0blood\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0mouth\t \u00a0begins\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0mutter\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0prayer\t \u00a0again:\t \u00a0La\t \u00a0 illaha\t \u00a0il\t \u00a0Allah,\t \u00a0Muhammad\t \u00a0u\t \u00a0rasul\t \u00a0ullah.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 They\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0transfuse\t \u00a0several\t \u00a0units\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0red\t \u00a0cells-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010How\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0tell\t \u00a0Soraya?\t \u00a0 Twice,\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0revive\t \u00a0him-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0do\t \u00a0_namaz_,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0do\t \u00a0_zakat_.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 They\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0lost\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0heart\t \u00a0hadn't\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0young\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0strong-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0 fast.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 He\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0alive.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0","\u00a0 Dr.\t \u00a0Nawaz\t \u00a0smiles.\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0takes\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0moment\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0register\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0has\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0 Then\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0says\t \u00a0more\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0don't\t \u00a0hear\t \u00a0him.\t \u00a0Because\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0taken\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0hands\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 have\t \u00a0brought\t \u00a0them\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0face.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0weep\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0relief\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0stranger's\t \u00a0small,\t \u00a0 meaty\t \u00a0hands\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0says\t \u00a0nothing\t \u00a0now.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0waits.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 THE\t \u00a0INTENSIVE\t \u00a0CARE\t \u00a0UNIT\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0L-\u00ad\u2010shaped\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0dim,\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0jumble\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0bleeping\t \u00a0monitors\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0whirring\t \u00a0machines.\t \u00a0Dr.\t \u00a0Nawaz\t \u00a0leads\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0between\t \u00a0two\t \u00a0rows\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0beds\t \u00a0separated\t \u00a0 by\t \u00a0white\t \u00a0plastic\t \u00a0curtains.\t \u00a0Sohrab's\t \u00a0bed\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0last\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0around\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0corner,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0 nearest\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0nurses'\t \u00a0station\t \u00a0where\t \u00a0two\t \u00a0nurses\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0surgical\t \u00a0scrubs\t \u00a0are\t \u00a0jotting\t \u00a0 notes\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0clipboards,\t \u00a0chatting\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0low\t \u00a0voices.\t \u00a0On\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0silent\t \u00a0ride\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0elevator\t \u00a0 with\t \u00a0Dr.\t \u00a0Nawaz,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0thought\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0weep\t \u00a0again\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0saw\t \u00a0Sohrab.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0sit\t \u00a0 on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0chair\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0foot\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0bed,\t \u00a0looking\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0white\t \u00a0face\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0tangle\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0 gleaming\t \u00a0plastic\t \u00a0tubes\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0IV\t \u00a0lines,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0am\t \u00a0dry-\u00ad\u2010eyed.\t \u00a0Watching\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0chest\t \u00a0rise\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 fall\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0rhythm\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hissing\t \u00a0ventilator,\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0curious\t \u00a0numbness\t \u00a0washes\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0me,\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0same\t \u00a0numbness\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0man\t \u00a0might\t \u00a0feel\t \u00a0seconds\t \u00a0after\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0has\t \u00a0swerved\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0car\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 barely\t \u00a0avoided\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0head-\u00ad\u2010on\t \u00a0collision.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0doze\t \u00a0off,\t \u00a0and,\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wake\t \u00a0up,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0see\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sun\t \u00a0rising\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0buttermilk\t \u00a0sky\t \u00a0 through\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0window\t \u00a0next\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0nurses'\t \u00a0station.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0light\t \u00a0slants\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0room,\t \u00a0 aims\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0shadow\t \u00a0toward\t \u00a0Sohrab.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0hasn't\t \u00a0moved.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"You'd\t \u00a0do\t \u00a0well\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0get\t \u00a0some\t \u00a0sleep,\\\"\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0nurse\t \u00a0says\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0don't\t \u00a0recognize\t \u00a0 her-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010there\t \u00a0must\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0shift\t \u00a0change\t \u00a0while\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0napped.\t \u00a0She\t \u00a0takes\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0 another\t \u00a0lounge,\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0outside\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0ICU.\t \u00a0It's\t \u00a0empty.\t \u00a0She\t \u00a0hands\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0pillow\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0hospital-\u00ad\u2010issue\t \u00a0blanket.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0thank\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0lie\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0vinyl\t \u00a0sofa\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0corner\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0lounge.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0fall\t \u00a0asleep\t \u00a0almost\t \u00a0immediately.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0dream\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0am\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0lounge\t \u00a0downstairs.\t \u00a0Dr.\t \u00a0Nawaz\t \u00a0walks\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0rise\t \u00a0 to\t \u00a0meet\t \u00a0him.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0takes\t \u00a0off\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0paper\t \u00a0mask,\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0hands\t \u00a0suddenly\t \u00a0whiter\t \u00a0than\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 remembered,\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0nails\t \u00a0manicured,\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0has\t \u00a0neatly\t \u00a0parted\t \u00a0hair,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0see\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0 Dr.\t \u00a0Nawaz\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0Raymond\t \u00a0Andrews,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0embassy\t \u00a0man\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0potted\t \u00a0 tomatoes.\t \u00a0Andrews\t \u00a0cocks\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0head.\t \u00a0Narrows\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0eyes.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 IN\t \u00a0THE\t \u00a0DAYTIME,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hospital\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0maze\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0teeming,\t \u00a0angled\t \u00a0hallways,\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0blur\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0 blazing-\u00ad\u2010white\t \u00a0overhead\t \u00a0fluorescence.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0came\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0its\t \u00a0layout,\t \u00a0came\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0","that\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0fourth-\u00ad\u2010floor\t \u00a0button\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0east\t \u00a0wing\t \u00a0elevator\t \u00a0didn't\t \u00a0light\t \u00a0up,\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 door\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0men's\t \u00a0room\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0same\t \u00a0floor\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0jammed\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0ram\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0 shoulder\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0open\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0came\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0hospital\t \u00a0life\t \u00a0has\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0rhythm,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 flurry\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0activity\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0before\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0morning\t \u00a0shift\t \u00a0change,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0midday\t \u00a0hustle,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 stillness\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0quiet\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0late-\u00ad\u2010night\t \u00a0hours\t \u00a0interrupted\t \u00a0occasionally\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0blur\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0 doctors\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0nurses\t \u00a0rushing\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0revive\t \u00a0someone.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0kept\t \u00a0vigil\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0Sohrab's\t \u00a0bedside\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0daytime\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0wandered\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hospital's\t \u00a0serpentine\t \u00a0corridors\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0night,\t \u00a0 listening\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0shoe\t \u00a0heels\t \u00a0clicking\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0tiles,\t \u00a0thinking\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0say\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0 Sohrab\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0woke\t \u00a0up.\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0end\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0ICU,\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0whooshing\t \u00a0ventilator\t \u00a0 beside\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0bed,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0no\t \u00a0closer\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0knowing.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 After\t \u00a0three\t \u00a0days\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0ICU,\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0withdrew\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0breathing\t \u00a0tube\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 transferred\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0ground-\u00ad\u2010level\t \u00a0bed.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wasn't\t \u00a0there\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0moved\t \u00a0him.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 had\t \u00a0gone\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hotel\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0night\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0get\t \u00a0some\t \u00a0sleep\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0ended\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0tossing\t \u00a0 around\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0bed\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0night.\t \u00a0In\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0morning,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0tried\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0look\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0bathtub.\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0 clean\t \u00a0now,\t \u00a0someone\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0wiped\t \u00a0off\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0blood,\t \u00a0spread\t \u00a0new\t \u00a0floor\t \u00a0mats\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0floor,\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0scrubbed\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0walls.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0couldn't\t \u00a0stop\t \u00a0myself\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0sitting\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0its\t \u00a0cool,\t \u00a0 porcelain\t \u00a0edge.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0pictured\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0filling\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0warm\t \u00a0water.\t \u00a0Saw\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0undressing.\t \u00a0 Saw\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0twisting\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0razor\t \u00a0handle\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0opening\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0twin\t \u00a0safety\t \u00a0latches\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 head,\t \u00a0sliding\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0blade\t \u00a0out,\t \u00a0holding\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0between\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0thumb\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0forefinger.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 pictured\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0lowering\t \u00a0himself\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0water,\t \u00a0lying\t \u00a0there\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0while,\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0 closed.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wondered\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0last\t \u00a0thought\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0raised\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0blade\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 brought\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0down.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0exiting\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0lobby\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hotel\t \u00a0manager,\t \u00a0Mr.\t \u00a0Fayyaz,\t \u00a0caught\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0 with\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0\\\"I\t \u00a0am\t \u00a0very\t \u00a0sorry\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0you,\\\"\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0\\\"but\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0am\t \u00a0asking\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0leave\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 hotel,\t \u00a0please.\t \u00a0This\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0bad\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0business,\t \u00a0very\t \u00a0bad.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0told\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0understood\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0checked\t \u00a0out.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0didn't\t \u00a0charge\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 three\t \u00a0days\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0spent\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hospital.\t \u00a0Waiting\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0cab\t \u00a0outside\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hotel\t \u00a0lobby,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 thought\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0Mr.\t \u00a0Fayyaz\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0night\t \u00a0we'd\t \u00a0gone\t \u00a0looking\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0 Sohrab:\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0thing\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0Afghanis\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0that...\t \u00a0well,\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0people\t \u00a0are\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0 reckless.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0laughed\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0him,\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0now\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wondered.\t \u00a0Had\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0actually\t \u00a0gone\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0sleep\t \u00a0 after\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0given\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0news\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0feared\t \u00a0most?\t \u00a0When\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0got\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0cab,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0asked\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0driver\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0knew\t \u00a0any\t \u00a0Persian\t \u00a0bookstores.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0there\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0couple\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0 kilometers\t \u00a0south.\t \u00a0We\t \u00a0stopped\t \u00a0there\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0way\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hospital.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 SOHRAB'S\t \u00a0NEW\t \u00a0ROOM\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0cream-\u00ad\u2010colored\t \u00a0walls,\t \u00a0chipped,\t \u00a0dark\t \u00a0gray\t \u00a0moldings,\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0glazed\t \u00a0tiles\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0might\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0once\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0white.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0shared\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0room\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0 teenaged\t \u00a0Punjabi\t \u00a0boy\t \u00a0who,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0later\t \u00a0learned\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0nurses,\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0broken\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0","leg\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0slipped\t \u00a0off\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0roof\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0moving\t \u00a0bus.\t \u00a0His\t \u00a0leg\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0cast,\t \u00a0raised\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0held\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0tongs\t \u00a0strapped\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0several\t \u00a0weights.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab's\t \u00a0bed\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0next\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0window,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0lower\t \u00a0half\t \u00a0lit\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0late-\u00ad\u2010 morning\t \u00a0sunlight\t \u00a0streaming\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0rectangular\t \u00a0panes.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0uniformed\t \u00a0security\t \u00a0 guard\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0standing\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0window,\t \u00a0munching\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0cooked\t \u00a0watermelon\t \u00a0seeds-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010 Sohrab\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0under\t \u00a0twenty-\u00ad\u2010four\t \u00a0hours-\u00ad\u2010a-\u00ad\u2010day\t \u00a0suicide\t \u00a0watch.\t \u00a0Hospital\t \u00a0protocol,\t \u00a0Dr.\t \u00a0 Nawaz\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0informed\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0guard\t \u00a0tipped\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0hat\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0saw\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0left\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 room.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0wearing\t \u00a0short-\u00ad\u2010sleeved\t \u00a0hospital\t \u00a0pajamas\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0lying\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0back,\t \u00a0 blanket\t \u00a0pulled\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0chest,\t \u00a0face\t \u00a0turned\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0window.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0thought\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0sleeping,\t \u00a0 but\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0scooted\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0chair\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0bed\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0eyelids\t \u00a0fluttered\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0opened.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0 looked\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0me,\t \u00a0then\t \u00a0looked\t \u00a0away.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0pale,\t \u00a0even\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0blood\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0 given\t \u00a0him,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0there\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0large\t \u00a0purple\t \u00a0bruise\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0crease\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0right\t \u00a0arm.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"How\t \u00a0are\t \u00a0you?\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 He\t \u00a0didn't\t \u00a0answer.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0looking\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0window\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0fenced-\u00ad\u2010in\t \u00a0 sandbox\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0swing\t \u00a0set\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hospital\t \u00a0garden.\t \u00a0There\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0an\t \u00a0arch-\u00ad\u2010shaped\t \u00a0trellis\t \u00a0 near\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0playground,\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0shadow\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0row\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0hibiscus\t \u00a0trees,\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0few\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0vines\t \u00a0 climbing\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0timber\t \u00a0lattice.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0handful\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0kids\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0playing\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0buckets\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 pails\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sand\t \u00a0box.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0sky\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0cloudless\t \u00a0blue\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0day,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0saw\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0tiny\t \u00a0jet\t \u00a0 leaving\t \u00a0behind\t \u00a0twin\t \u00a0white\t \u00a0trails.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0turned\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0Sohrab.\t \u00a0\\\"I\t \u00a0spoke\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0Dr.\t \u00a0Nawaz\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0 few\t \u00a0minutes\t \u00a0ago\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0thinks\t \u00a0you'll\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0discharged\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0couple\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0days.\t \u00a0That's\t \u00a0 good\t \u00a0news,\t \u00a0nay?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Again\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0met\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0silence.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0Punjabi\t \u00a0boy\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0other\t \u00a0end\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0room\t \u00a0 stirred\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0sleep\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0moaned\t \u00a0something.\t \u00a0\\\"I\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0room,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0trying\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0 to\t \u00a0look\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0Sohrab's\t \u00a0bandaged\t \u00a0wrists.\t \u00a0\\\"It's\t \u00a0bright,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0view.\\\"\t \u00a0Silence.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0 few\t \u00a0more\t \u00a0awkward\t \u00a0minutes\t \u00a0passed,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0light\t \u00a0sweat\t \u00a0formed\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0brow,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 upper\t \u00a0lip.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0pointed\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0untouched\t \u00a0bowl\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0pea\t \u00a0aush\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0nightstand,\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0unused\t \u00a0plastic\t \u00a0spoon.\t \u00a0\\\"You\t \u00a0should\t \u00a0try\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0eat\t \u00a0something.\t \u00a0Gain\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0quwat\t \u00a0 back,\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0strength.\t \u00a0Do\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0help\t \u00a0you?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 He\t \u00a0held\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0glance,\t \u00a0then\t \u00a0looked\t \u00a0away,\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0face\t \u00a0set\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0stone.\t \u00a0His\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0 still\t \u00a0lightless,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0saw,\t \u00a0vacant,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0way\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0found\t \u00a0them\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0pulled\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0 of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0bathtub.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0reached\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0paper\t \u00a0bag\t \u00a0between\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0feet\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0took\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 used\t \u00a0copy\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Shah\t \u00a0Namah\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0bought\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Persian\t \u00a0bookstore.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0turned\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 cover\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0faced\t \u00a0Sohrab.\t \u00a0\\\"I\t \u00a0used\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0read\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0father\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0 children.\t \u00a0We'd\t \u00a0go\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hill\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0house\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0sit\t \u00a0beneath\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0pomegranate...\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0","trailed\t \u00a0off.\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0looking\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0window\t \u00a0again.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0forced\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0smile.\t \u00a0\\\"Your\t \u00a0 father's\t \u00a0favorite\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0story\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Rostam\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0that's\t \u00a0how\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0got\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0 name,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0that.\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0paused,\t \u00a0feeling\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0bit\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0an\t \u00a0idiot.\t \u00a0\\\"Any\t \u00a0way,\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0 said\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0letter\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0favorite\t \u00a0too,\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0thought\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0read\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0some\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0 Would\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0that?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab\t \u00a0closed\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0eyes.\t \u00a0Covered\t \u00a0them\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0arm,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 bruise.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0flipped\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0page\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0bent\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0taxicab.\t \u00a0\\\"Here\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0go,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0 wondering\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0first\t \u00a0time\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0thoughts\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0passed\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0Hassan's\t \u00a0head\t \u00a0 when\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0finally\t \u00a0read\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0_Shahnamah_\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0himself\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0discovered\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0 deceived\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0those\t \u00a0times.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0cleared\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0throat\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0read.\t \u00a0\\\"Give\t \u00a0ear\t \u00a0unto\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 combat\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0against\t \u00a0Rostam,\t \u00a0though\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0tale\t \u00a0replete\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0tears,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0began.\t \u00a0 \\\"It\t \u00a0came\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0certain\t \u00a0day\t \u00a0Rostam\t \u00a0rose\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0couch\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0mind\t \u00a0 was\t \u00a0filled\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0forebodings.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0bethought\t \u00a0him...\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0read\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0most\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0chapter\t \u00a01,\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0 to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0part\t \u00a0where\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0young\t \u00a0warrior\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0comes\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0mother,\t \u00a0Tahmineh,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 princess\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Samengan,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0demands\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0identity\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0father.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0closed\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0book.\t \u00a0\\\"Do\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0go\t \u00a0on?\t \u00a0There\t \u00a0are\t \u00a0battles\t \u00a0coming\t \u00a0up,\t \u00a0remember?\t \u00a0 Sohrab\t \u00a0leading\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0army\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0White\t \u00a0Castle\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Iran?\t \u00a0Should\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0read\t \u00a0on?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 He\t \u00a0shook\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0head\t \u00a0slowly.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0dropped\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0book\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0paper\t \u00a0bag.\t \u00a0 \\\"That's\t \u00a0fine,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0encouraged\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0responded\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0all.\t \u00a0\\\"Maybe\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0can\t \u00a0 continue\t \u00a0tomorrow.\t \u00a0How\t \u00a0do\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0feel?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab's\t \u00a0mouth\t \u00a0opened\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0hoarse\t \u00a0sound\t \u00a0came\t \u00a0out.\t \u00a0Dr.\t \u00a0Nawaz\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0told\t \u00a0 me\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0happen,\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0account\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0breathing\t \u00a0tube\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0slid\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0 his\t \u00a0vocal\t \u00a0cords.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0licked\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0lips\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0tried\t \u00a0again.\t \u00a0\\\"Tired.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"I\t \u00a0know.\t \u00a0Dr.\t \u00a0Nawaz\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0expected-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010\\\"\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0shaking\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0 head.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"What,\t \u00a0Sohrab?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 He\t \u00a0winced\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0spoke\t \u00a0again\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0husky\t \u00a0voice,\t \u00a0barely\t \u00a0above\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0 whisper.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Tired\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0everything.\\\"\t \u00a0","\u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0sighed\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0slumped\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0chair.\t \u00a0There\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0band\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0sunlight\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0bed\t \u00a0 between\t \u00a0us,\t \u00a0and,\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0moment,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0ashen\t \u00a0gray\t \u00a0face\t \u00a0looking\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 other\t \u00a0side\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0dead\t \u00a0ringer\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0Hassan's,\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Hassan\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0played\t \u00a0marbles\t \u00a0 with\t \u00a0until\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0mullah\t \u00a0belted\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0evening\t \u00a0azan\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Ali\t \u00a0called\t \u00a0us\t \u00a0home,\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 Hassan\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0chased\t \u00a0down\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0hill\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sun\t \u00a0dipped\t \u00a0behind\t \u00a0clay\t \u00a0rooftops\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0west,\t \u00a0 but\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Hassan\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0saw\t \u00a0alive\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0last\t \u00a0time,\t \u00a0dragging\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0belongings\t \u00a0behind\t \u00a0Ali\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0 a\t \u00a0warm\t \u00a0summer\t \u00a0downpour,\t \u00a0stuffing\t \u00a0them\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0trunk\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Baba's\t \u00a0car\t \u00a0while\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 watched\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0rain-\u00ad\u2010soaked\t \u00a0window\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0room.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 He\t \u00a0gave\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0slow\t \u00a0shake\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0head.\t \u00a0\\\"Tired\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0everything,\\\"\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0repeated.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"What\t \u00a0can\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0do,\t \u00a0Sohrab?\t \u00a0Please\t \u00a0tell\t \u00a0me.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"I\t \u00a0want-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010\\\"\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0began.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0winced\t \u00a0again\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0brought\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0hand\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0throat\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0 if\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0clear\t \u00a0whatever\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0blocking\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0voice.\t \u00a0My\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0drawn\t \u00a0again\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0 wrist\t \u00a0wrapped\t \u00a0tightly\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0white\t \u00a0gauze\t \u00a0bandages.\t \u00a0\\\"I\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0old\t \u00a0life\t \u00a0back,\\\"\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0 breathed.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Oh,\t \u00a0Sohrab.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"I\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0Father\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Mother\t \u00a0jan.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0Sasa.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0play\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0Rahim\t \u00a0 Khan\t \u00a0sahib\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0garden.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0live\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0house\t \u00a0again.\\\"\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0dragged\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0 forearm\t \u00a0across\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0eyes.\t \u00a0\\\"I\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0old\t \u00a0life\t \u00a0back.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0didn't\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0say,\t \u00a0where\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0look,\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0gazed\t \u00a0down\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0hands.\t \u00a0 Your\t \u00a0old\t \u00a0life,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0thought.\t \u00a0My\t \u00a0old\t \u00a0life\t \u00a0too.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0played\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0same\t \u00a0yard,\t \u00a0Sohrab.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0lived\t \u00a0 in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0same\t \u00a0house.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0grass\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0dead\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0stranger's\t \u00a0jeep\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0parked\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 driveway\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0house,\t \u00a0pissing\t \u00a0oil\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0asphalt.\t \u00a0Our\t \u00a0old\t \u00a0life\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0gone,\t \u00a0 Sohrab,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0everyone\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0either\t \u00a0dead\t \u00a0or\t \u00a0dying.\t \u00a0It's\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0now.\t \u00a0Just\t \u00a0 you\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"I\t \u00a0can't\t \u00a0give\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0that,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"I\t \u00a0wish\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0hadn't-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0","\u00a0 \\\"Please\t \u00a0don't\t \u00a0say\t \u00a0that.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010wish\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0hadn't...\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wish\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0left\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0water.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Don't\t \u00a0ever\t \u00a0say\t \u00a0that,\t \u00a0Sohrab,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0leaning\t \u00a0forward.\t \u00a0\\\"I\t \u00a0can't\t \u00a0bear\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0hear\t \u00a0 you\t \u00a0talk\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0that.\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0touched\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0shoulder\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0flinched.\t \u00a0Drew\t \u00a0away.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0dropped\t \u00a0 my\t \u00a0hand,\t \u00a0remembering\t \u00a0ruefully\t \u00a0how\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0last\t \u00a0days\t \u00a0before\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0broken\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 promise\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0finally\t \u00a0become\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0ease\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0touch.\t \u00a0\\\"Sohrab,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0can't\t \u00a0give\t \u00a0 you\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0old\t \u00a0life\t \u00a0back,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wish\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0God\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0could.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0can\t \u00a0take\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0That\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0 what\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0coming\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0bathroom\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0tell\t \u00a0you.\t \u00a0You\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0visa\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0go\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0America,\t \u00a0 to\t \u00a0live\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0wife.\t \u00a0It's\t \u00a0true.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0promise.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 He\t \u00a0sighed\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0nose\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0closed\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0eyes.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wished\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0hadn't\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0 those\t \u00a0last\t \u00a0two\t \u00a0words.\t \u00a0\\\"You\t \u00a0know,\t \u00a0I've\t \u00a0done\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0lot\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0things\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0regret\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0life,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 said,\t \u00a0\\\"and\t \u00a0maybe\t \u00a0none\t \u00a0more\t \u00a0than\t \u00a0going\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0promise\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0made\t \u00a0you.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0 will\t \u00a0never\t \u00a0happen\t \u00a0again,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0am\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0very\t \u00a0profoundly\t \u00a0sorry.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0ask\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0 bakhshesh,\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0forgiveness.\t \u00a0Can\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0do\t \u00a0that?\t \u00a0Can\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0forgive\t \u00a0me?\t \u00a0Can\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0 believe\t \u00a0me?\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0dropped\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0voice.\t \u00a0\\\"Will\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0come\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0me?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 As\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0waited\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0reply,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0mind\t \u00a0flashed\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0winter\t \u00a0day\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0long\t \u00a0 ago,\t \u00a0Hassan\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0sitting\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0snow\t \u00a0beneath\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0leafless\t \u00a0sour\t \u00a0cherry\t \u00a0tree.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0 played\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0cruel\t \u00a0game\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0Hassan\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0day,\t \u00a0toyed\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0him,\t \u00a0asked\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0 chew\t \u00a0dirt\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0prove\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0loyalty\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0Now\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0under\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0microscope,\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0who\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0prove\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0worthiness.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0deserved\t \u00a0this.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab\t \u00a0rolled\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0side,\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0didn't\t \u00a0say\t \u00a0anything\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0long\t \u00a0 time.\t \u00a0And\t \u00a0then,\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0thought\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0might\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0drifted\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0sleep,\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0 croak,\t \u00a0\\\"I\t \u00a0am\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0khasta.\\\"\t \u00a0So\t \u00a0very\t \u00a0tired.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0sat\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0bed\t \u00a0until\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0fell\t \u00a0asleep.\t \u00a0 Something\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0lost\t \u00a0between\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0Until\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0meeting\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0lawyer,\t \u00a0 Omar\t \u00a0Faisal,\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0light\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0hope\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0begun\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0enter\t \u00a0Sohrab's\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0timid\t \u00a0guest.\t \u00a0 Now\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0light\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0gone,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0guest\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0fled,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wondered\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0dare\t \u00a0 return.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wondered\t \u00a0how\t \u00a0long\t \u00a0before\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0smiled\t \u00a0again.\t \u00a0How\t \u00a0long\t \u00a0before\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0 trusted\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0If\t \u00a0ever.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 So\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0left\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0room\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0went\t \u00a0looking\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0another\t \u00a0hotel,\t \u00a0unaware\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0 almost\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0year\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0pass\t \u00a0before\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0hear\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0speak\t \u00a0another\t \u00a0word.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0","\u00a0 IN\t \u00a0THE\t \u00a0END,\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0never\t \u00a0accepted\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0offer.\t \u00a0Nor\t \u00a0did\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0decline\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0knew\t \u00a0 that\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0bandages\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0removed\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hospital\t \u00a0garments\t \u00a0returned,\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0 was\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0another\t \u00a0homeless\t \u00a0Hazara\t \u00a0orphan.\t \u00a0What\t \u00a0choice\t \u00a0did\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0have?\t \u00a0Where\t \u00a0 could\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0go?\t \u00a0So\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0took\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0yes\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0actuality\t \u00a0more\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0quiet\t \u00a0 surrender,\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0much\t \u00a0an\t \u00a0acceptance\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0an\t \u00a0act\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0relinquishment\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0too\t \u00a0 weary\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0decide,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0far\t \u00a0too\t \u00a0tired\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0believe.\t \u00a0What\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0yearned\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0old\t \u00a0life.\t \u00a0 What\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0got\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0America.\t \u00a0Not\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0such\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0bad\t \u00a0fate,\t \u00a0everything\t \u00a0 considered,\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0couldn't\t \u00a0tell\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0that.\t \u00a0Perspective\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0luxury\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0head\t \u00a0 was\t \u00a0constantly\t \u00a0buzzing\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0swarm\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0demons.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 And\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0that,\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0week\t \u00a0later,\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0crossed\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0strip\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0warm,\t \u00a0black\t \u00a0 tarmac\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0brought\t \u00a0Hassan's\t \u00a0son\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0Afghanistan\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0America,\t \u00a0lifting\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0certainty\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0turmoil\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0dropping\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0turmoil\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0uncertainty.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 ONE\t \u00a0DAY,\t \u00a0maybe\t \u00a0around\t \u00a01983\t \u00a0or\t \u00a01984,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0video\t \u00a0store\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Fremont.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0 standing\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Westerns\t \u00a0section\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0guy\t \u00a0next\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0me,\t \u00a0sipping\t \u00a0Coke\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0a\t \u00a07-\u00ad\u2010 Eleven\t \u00a0cup,\t \u00a0pointed\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0_The\t \u00a0Magnificent\t \u00a0Seven_\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0asked\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0seen\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0 \\\"Yes,\t \u00a0thirteen\t \u00a0times,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0\\\"Charles\t \u00a0Bronson\t \u00a0dies\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0it,\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0do\t \u00a0James\t \u00a0Coburn\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 Robert\t \u00a0Vaughn.\\\"\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0gave\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0pinch-\u00ad\u2010faced\t \u00a0look,\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0spat\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0soda.\t \u00a0 \\\"Thanks\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0lot,\t \u00a0man,\\\"\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0shaking\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0head\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0muttering\t \u00a0something\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0 walked\t \u00a0away.\t \u00a0That\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0learned\t \u00a0that,\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0America,\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0don't\t \u00a0reveal\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 ending\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0movie,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0do,\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0scorned\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0made\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0apologize\t \u00a0 profusely\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0having\t \u00a0committed\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sin\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Spoiling\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0End.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 In\t \u00a0Afghanistan,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0ending\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0mattered.\t \u00a0When\t \u00a0Hassan\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0came\t \u00a0 home\t \u00a0after\t \u00a0watching\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0Hindi\t \u00a0film\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0Cinema\t \u00a0Zainab,\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0Ali,\t \u00a0Rahim\t \u00a0Khan,\t \u00a0Baba,\t \u00a0 or\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0myriad\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Baba's\t \u00a0friends-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010second\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0third\t \u00a0cousins\t \u00a0milling\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0house-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010wanted\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0this:\t \u00a0Did\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Girl\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0film\t \u00a0find\t \u00a0happiness?\t \u00a0Did\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0bacheh\t \u00a0film,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Guy\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0film,\t \u00a0become\t \u00a0katnyab\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0fulfill\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0dreams,\t \u00a0or\t \u00a0 was\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0nah-\u00ad\u2010kam,\t \u00a0doomed\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0wallow\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0failure?\t \u00a0Was\t \u00a0there\t \u00a0happiness\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0end,\t \u00a0 they\t \u00a0wanted\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0know.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 If\t \u00a0someone\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0ask\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0today\t \u00a0whether\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0story\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Hassan,\t \u00a0Sohrab,\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0ends\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0happiness,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wouldn't\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0say.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0","\u00a0 Does\t \u00a0anybody's?\t \u00a0After\t \u00a0all,\t \u00a0life\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0Hindi\t \u00a0movie.\t \u00a0Zendagi\t \u00a0migzara,\t \u00a0 Afghans\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0say:\t \u00a0Life\t \u00a0goes\t \u00a0on,\t \u00a0unmindful\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0beginning,\t \u00a0end,\t \u00a0kamyab,\t \u00a0nah-\u00ad\u2010kam,\t \u00a0 crisis\t \u00a0or\t \u00a0catharsis,\t \u00a0moving\t \u00a0forward\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0slow,\t \u00a0dusty\t \u00a0caravan\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0kochis.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0wouldn't\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0how\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0answer\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0question.\t \u00a0Despite\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0matter\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0last\t \u00a0 Sunday's\t \u00a0tiny\t \u00a0miracle.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 WE\t \u00a0ARRIVED\t \u00a0HOME\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0seven\t \u00a0months\t \u00a0ago,\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0warm\t \u00a0day\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0August\t \u00a02001.\t \u00a0 Soraya\t \u00a0picked\t \u00a0us\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0airport.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0never\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0away\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0 long,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0locked\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0arms\t \u00a0around\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0neck,\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0smelled\t \u00a0apples\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0 her\t \u00a0hair,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0realized\t \u00a0how\t \u00a0much\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0missed\t \u00a0her.\t \u00a0\\\"You're\t \u00a0still\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0morning\t \u00a0sun\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0 my\t \u00a0yelda,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0whispered.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"What?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Never\t \u00a0mind.\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0kissed\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0ear.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 After,\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0knelt\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0eye\t \u00a0level\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0Sohrab.\t \u00a0She\t \u00a0took\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0hand\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0smiled\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0 him.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Salaam,\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0jan,\t \u00a0I'm\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0Khala\t \u00a0Soraya.\t \u00a0We've\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0waiting\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0 you.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Looking\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0smiling\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0Sohrab,\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0tearing\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0little,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0 glimpse\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0mother\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0might\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0been,\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0own\t \u00a0womb\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0betrayed\t \u00a0her.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab\t \u00a0shifted\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0feet\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0looked\t \u00a0away.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0","SORAYA\t \u00a0HAD\t \u00a0TURNED\t \u00a0THE\t \u00a0STUDY\t \u00a0upstairs\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0bedroom\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0Sohrab.\t \u00a0She\t \u00a0led\t \u00a0 him\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0sat\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0edge\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0bed.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0sheets\t \u00a0showed\t \u00a0brightly\t \u00a0colored\t \u00a0 kites\t \u00a0flying\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0indigo\t \u00a0blue\t \u00a0skies.\t \u00a0She\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0made\t \u00a0inscriptions\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0wall\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 closet,\t \u00a0feet\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0inches\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0measure\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0child's\t \u00a0growing\t \u00a0height.\t \u00a0At\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0foot\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0bed,\t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0saw\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0wicker\t \u00a0basket\t \u00a0stuffed\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0books,\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0locomotive,\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0water\t \u00a0color\t \u00a0set.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0wearing\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0plain\t \u00a0white\t \u00a0T-\u00ad\u2010shirt\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0new\t \u00a0denims\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0bought\t \u00a0 him\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Islamabad\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0before\t \u00a0we'd\t \u00a0left-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010the\t \u00a0shirt\t \u00a0hung\t \u00a0loosely\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0bony,\t \u00a0 slumping\t \u00a0shoulders.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0color\t \u00a0still\t \u00a0hadn't\t \u00a0seeped\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0face,\t \u00a0save\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 halo\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0dark\t \u00a0circles\t \u00a0around\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0eyes.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0looking\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0us\t \u00a0now\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0impassive\t \u00a0 way\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0looked\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0plates\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0boiled\t \u00a0rice\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hospital\t \u00a0orderly\t \u00a0placed\t \u00a0before\t \u00a0him.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Soraya\t \u00a0asked\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0liked\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0room\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0noticed\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0trying\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0 avoid\t \u00a0looking\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0wrists\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0kept\t \u00a0swaying\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0those\t \u00a0jagged\t \u00a0 pink\t \u00a0lines.\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0lowered\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0head.\t \u00a0Hid\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0hands\t \u00a0under\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0thighs\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0 nothing.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Then\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0simply\t \u00a0lay\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0head\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0pillow.\t \u00a0Less\t \u00a0than\t \u00a0five\t \u00a0minutes\t \u00a0later,\t \u00a0 Soraya\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0watching\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0doorway,\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0snoring.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 We\t \u00a0went\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0bed,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0fell\t \u00a0asleep\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0head\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0chest.\t \u00a0In\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 darkness\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0room,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0lay\t \u00a0awake,\t \u00a0an\t \u00a0insomniac\t \u00a0once\t \u00a0more.\t \u00a0Awake.\t \u00a0And\t \u00a0alone\t \u00a0 with\t \u00a0demons\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0own.\t \u00a0Sometime\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0middle\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0night,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0slid\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0bed\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0went\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0Sohrab's\t \u00a0room.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0stood\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0him,\t \u00a0looking\t \u00a0down,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0saw\t \u00a0something\t \u00a0 protruding\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0under\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0pillow.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0picked\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0up.\t \u00a0Saw\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0Rahim\t \u00a0Khan's\t \u00a0 Polaroid,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0given\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0night\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0sat\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Shah\t \u00a0Faisal\t \u00a0 Mosque.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Hassan\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0standing\t \u00a0side\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0side,\t \u00a0squinting\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 light\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sun,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0smiling\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0world\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0good\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0place.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wondered\t \u00a0 how\t \u00a0long\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0lain\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0bed\t \u00a0staring\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0photo,\t \u00a0turning\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0hands.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0looked\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0photo.\t \u00a0Your\t \u00a0father\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0man\t \u00a0torn\t \u00a0between\t \u00a0two\t \u00a0halves,\t \u00a0 Rahim\t \u00a0Khan\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0letter.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0entitled\t \u00a0half,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0society-\u00ad\u2010 approved,\t \u00a0legitimate\t \u00a0half,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0unwitting\t \u00a0embodiment\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Baba's\t \u00a0guilt.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0looked\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0 Hassan,\t \u00a0showing\t \u00a0those\t \u00a0two\t \u00a0missing\t \u00a0front\t \u00a0teeth,\t \u00a0sunlight\t \u00a0slanting\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0face.\t \u00a0 Baba's\t \u00a0other\t \u00a0half.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0unentitled,\t \u00a0unprivileged\t \u00a0half.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0half\t \u00a0who\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0inherited\t \u00a0 what\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0pure\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0noble\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Baba.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0half\t \u00a0that,\t \u00a0maybe,\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0most\t \u00a0secret\t \u00a0 recesses\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0heart,\t \u00a0Baba\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0thought\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0true\t \u00a0son.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0slipped\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0picture\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0where\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0found\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0Then\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0realized\t \u00a0something:\t \u00a0 That\t \u00a0last\t \u00a0thought\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0brought\t \u00a0no\t \u00a0sting\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0Closing\t \u00a0Sohrab's\t \u00a0door,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wondered\t \u00a0 if\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0how\t \u00a0forgiveness\t \u00a0budded,\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0fanfare\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0epiphany,\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0","pain\t \u00a0gathering\t \u00a0its\t \u00a0things,\t \u00a0packing\t \u00a0up,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0slipping\t \u00a0away\t \u00a0unannounced\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 middle\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0night.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 THE\t \u00a0GENERAL\t \u00a0AND\t \u00a0KHALA\t \u00a0JAMILA\t \u00a0came\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0dinner\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0following\t \u00a0night.\t \u00a0 Khala\t \u00a0Jamila,\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0hair\t \u00a0cut\t \u00a0short\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0darker\t \u00a0shade\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0red\t \u00a0than\t \u00a0usual,\t \u00a0handed\t \u00a0 Soraya\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0plate\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0almond-\u00ad\u2010topped\t \u00a0maghout\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0brought\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0dessert.\t \u00a0She\t \u00a0 saw\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0beamed.\t \u00a0\\\"_Mashallah_!\\\"\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0jan\t \u00a0told\t \u00a0us\t \u00a0how\t \u00a0khoshteep\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0 were,\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0are\t \u00a0even\t \u00a0more\t \u00a0handsome\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0person,\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0jan.\\\"\t \u00a0She\t \u00a0handed\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0 blue\t \u00a0turtleneck\t \u00a0sweater.\t \u00a0\\\"I\t \u00a0knitted\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0you,\\\"\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0\\\"For\t \u00a0next\t \u00a0winter.\t \u00a0 _Inshallah_,\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0fit\t \u00a0you.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab\t \u00a0took\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sweater\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0her.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Hello,\t \u00a0young\t \u00a0man,\\\"\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0general\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0leaning\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0both\t \u00a0hands\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0 his\t \u00a0cane,\t \u00a0looking\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0way\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0might\t \u00a0study\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0bizarre\t \u00a0decorative\t \u00a0item\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0 someone's\t \u00a0house.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0answered,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0answered\t \u00a0again,\t \u00a0Khala\t \u00a0Jamila's\t \u00a0questions\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 injuries-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010I'd\t \u00a0asked\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0tell\t \u00a0them\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0mugged-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010reassuring\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 had\t \u00a0no\t \u00a0permanent\t \u00a0damage,\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0wires\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0come\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0few\t \u00a0weeks\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0 be\t \u00a0able\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0eat\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0cooking\t \u00a0again,\t \u00a0that,\t \u00a0yes,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0try\t \u00a0rubbing\t \u00a0rhubarb\t \u00a0juice\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 sugar\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0scars\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0make\t \u00a0them\t \u00a0fade\t \u00a0faster.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 The\t \u00a0general\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0sat\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0living\t \u00a0room\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0sipped\t \u00a0wine\t \u00a0while\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 her\t \u00a0mother\t \u00a0set\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0table.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0told\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0Kabul\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Taliban.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0listened\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 nodded,\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0cane\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0lap,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0tsk'ed\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0told\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0man\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0spotted\t \u00a0 selling\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0artificial\t \u00a0leg.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0made\t \u00a0no\t \u00a0mention\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0executions\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0Ghazi\t \u00a0Stadium\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0Assef.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0asked\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0Rahim\t \u00a0Khan,\t \u00a0whom\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0met\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Kabul\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0few\t \u00a0 times,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0shook\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0head\t \u00a0solemnly\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0told\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Rahim\t \u00a0Khan's\t \u00a0illness.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0 as\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0spoke,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0caught\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0drifting\t \u00a0again\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0again\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0sleeping\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 couch.\t \u00a0As\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0skirting\t \u00a0around\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0edge\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0really\t \u00a0wanted\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0know.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 The\t \u00a0skirting\t \u00a0finally\t \u00a0came\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0an\t \u00a0end\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0dinner\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0general\t \u00a0put\t \u00a0 down\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0fork\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0\\\"So,\t \u00a0Amir\t \u00a0jan,\t \u00a0you're\t \u00a0going\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0tell\t \u00a0us\t \u00a0why\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0 brought\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0boy\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0you?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0","\u00a0 \\\"Iqbal\t \u00a0jan!\t \u00a0What\t \u00a0sort\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0question\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0that?\\\"\t \u00a0Khala\t \u00a0Jamila\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"While\t \u00a0you're\t \u00a0busy\t \u00a0knitting\t \u00a0sweaters,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0dear,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0deal\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 community's\t \u00a0perception\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0family.\t \u00a0People\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0ask.\t \u00a0They\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0 why\t \u00a0there\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0Hazara\t \u00a0boy\t \u00a0living\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0daughter.\t \u00a0What\t \u00a0do\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0tell\t \u00a0them?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Soraya\t \u00a0dropped\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0spoon.\t \u00a0Turned\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0father.\t \u00a0\\\"You\t \u00a0can\t \u00a0tell\t \u00a0them-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"It's\t \u00a0okay,\t \u00a0Soraya,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0taking\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0hand.\t \u00a0\\\"It's\t \u00a0okay.\t \u00a0General\t \u00a0Sahib\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0 quite\t \u00a0right.\t \u00a0People\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0ask.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Amir-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010\\\"\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0began.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"It's\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0right.\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0turned\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0general.\t \u00a0\\\"You\t \u00a0see,\t \u00a0General\t \u00a0Sahib,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0father\t \u00a0 slept\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0servant's\t \u00a0wife.\t \u00a0She\t \u00a0bore\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0son\t \u00a0named\t \u00a0Hassan.\t \u00a0Hassan\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0dead\t \u00a0 now.\t \u00a0That\t \u00a0boy\t \u00a0sleeping\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0couch\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0Hassan's\t \u00a0son.\t \u00a0He's\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0nephew.\t \u00a0That's\t \u00a0 what\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0tell\t \u00a0people\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0ask.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 They\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0staring\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"And\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0more\t \u00a0thing,\t \u00a0General\t \u00a0Sahib,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0\\\"You\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0never\t \u00a0again\t \u00a0refer\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0 him\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0'Hazara\t \u00a0boy'\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0presence.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0has\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0name\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0it's\t \u00a0Sohrab.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 No\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0anything\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0remainder\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0meal.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 IT\t \u00a0WOULD\t \u00a0BE\t \u00a0ERRONEOUS\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0say\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0quiet.\t \u00a0Quiet\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0peace.\t \u00a0Tranquillity.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Quiet\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0turning\t \u00a0down\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0VOLUME\t \u00a0knob\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0life.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Silence\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0pushing\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0OFF\t \u00a0button.\t \u00a0Shutting\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0down.\t \u00a0All\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0","\u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab's\t \u00a0silence\t \u00a0wasn't\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0self-\u00ad\u2010imposed\t \u00a0silence\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0those\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0convictions,\t \u00a0 of\t \u00a0protesters\t \u00a0who\t \u00a0seek\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0speak\t \u00a0their\t \u00a0cause\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0speaking\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0all.\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 silence\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0who\t \u00a0has\t \u00a0taken\t \u00a0cover\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0dark\t \u00a0place,\t \u00a0curled\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0edges\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 tucked\t \u00a0them\t \u00a0under.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 He\t \u00a0didn't\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0much\t \u00a0live\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0us\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0occupy\t \u00a0space.\t \u00a0And\t \u00a0precious\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0 Sometimes,\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0market,\t \u00a0or\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0park,\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0notice\t \u00a0how\t \u00a0other\t \u00a0people\t \u00a0hardly\t \u00a0 seemed\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0even\t \u00a0see\t \u00a0him,\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0wasn't\t \u00a0there\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0all.\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0look\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0book\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 realize\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0entered\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0room,\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0sat\t \u00a0across\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0me,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0hadn't\t \u00a0 noticed.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0walked\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0afraid\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0leave\t \u00a0behind\t \u00a0footprints.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0moved\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0 not\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0stir\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0air\t \u00a0around\t \u00a0him.\t \u00a0Mostly,\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0slept.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab's\t \u00a0silence\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0hard\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0too.\t \u00a0Over\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0long-\u00ad\u2010distance\t \u00a0line\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0 Pakistan,\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0told\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0things\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0planning\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0Sohrab.\t \u00a0 Swimming\t \u00a0classes.\t \u00a0Soccer.\t \u00a0Bowling\t \u00a0league.\t \u00a0Now\t \u00a0she'd\t \u00a0walk\t \u00a0past\t \u00a0Sohrab's\t \u00a0room\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0catch\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0glimpse\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0books\t \u00a0sitting\t \u00a0unopened\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0wicker\t \u00a0basket,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0growth\t \u00a0 chart\t \u00a0unmarked,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0jigsaw\t \u00a0puzzle\t \u00a0unassembled,\t \u00a0each\t \u00a0item\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0reminder\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0life\t \u00a0 that\t \u00a0could\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0been.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0reminder\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0dream\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0wilting\t \u00a0even\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0 budding.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0hadn't\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0alone.\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0own\t \u00a0dreams\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0Sohrab.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 While\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0silent,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0world\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0not.\t \u00a0One\t \u00a0Tuesday\t \u00a0morning\t \u00a0last\t \u00a0 September,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Twin\t \u00a0Towers\t \u00a0came\t \u00a0crumbling\t \u00a0down\t \u00a0and,\t \u00a0overnight,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0world\t \u00a0 changed.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0American\t \u00a0flag\t \u00a0suddenly\t \u00a0appeared\t \u00a0everywhere,\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0antennae\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0 yellow\t \u00a0cabs\t \u00a0weaving\t \u00a0around\t \u00a0traffic,\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0lapels\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0pedestrians\t \u00a0walking\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 sidewalks\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0steady\t \u00a0stream,\t \u00a0even\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0grimy\t \u00a0caps\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0San\t \u00a0Francisco's\t \u00a0pan\t \u00a0 handlers\t \u00a0sitting\t \u00a0beneath\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0awnings\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0small\t \u00a0art\t \u00a0galleries\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0open-\u00ad\u2010fronted\t \u00a0 shops.\t \u00a0One\t \u00a0day\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0passed\t \u00a0Edith,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0homeless\t \u00a0woman\t \u00a0who\t \u00a0plays\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0accordion\t \u00a0 every\t \u00a0day\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0corner\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Sutter\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Stockton,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0spotted\t \u00a0an\t \u00a0American\t \u00a0flag\t \u00a0 sticker\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0accordion\t \u00a0case\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0feet.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Soon\t \u00a0after\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0attacks,\t \u00a0America\t \u00a0bombed\t \u00a0Afghanistan,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Northern\t \u00a0 Alliance\t \u00a0moved\t \u00a0in,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Taliban\t \u00a0scurried\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0rats\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0caves.\t \u00a0Suddenly,\t \u00a0 people\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0standing\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0grocery\t \u00a0store\t \u00a0lines\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0talking\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0cities\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 childhood,\t \u00a0Kandahar,\t \u00a0Herat,\t \u00a0Mazar-\u00ad\u2010i-\u00ad\u2010Sharif.\t \u00a0When\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0very\t \u00a0little,\t \u00a0Baba\t \u00a0took\t \u00a0 Hassan\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0Kunduz.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0don't\t \u00a0remember\t \u00a0much\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0trip,\t \u00a0except\t \u00a0sitting\t \u00a0 in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0shade\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0an\t \u00a0acacia\t \u00a0tree\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0Baba\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Hassan,\t \u00a0taking\t \u00a0turns\t \u00a0sipping\t \u00a0fresh\t \u00a0 watermelon\t \u00a0juice\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0clay\t \u00a0pot\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0seeing\t \u00a0who\t \u00a0could\t \u00a0spit\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0seeds\t \u00a0farther.\t \u00a0 Now\t \u00a0Dan\t \u00a0Rather,\t \u00a0Tom\t \u00a0Brokaw,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0people\t \u00a0sipping\t \u00a0lattes\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0Starbucks\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0 talking\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0battle\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0Kunduz,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Taliban's\t \u00a0last\t \u00a0stronghold\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0north.\t \u00a0 That\t \u00a0December,\t \u00a0Pashtuns,\t \u00a0Tajiks,\t \u00a0Uzbeks,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Hazaras\t \u00a0gathered\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Bonn\t \u00a0and,\t \u00a0 under\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0watchful\t \u00a0eye\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0UN,\t \u00a0began\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0process\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0might\t \u00a0someday\t \u00a0end\t \u00a0","over\t \u00a0twenty\t \u00a0years\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0unhappiness\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0their\t \u00a0watan.\t \u00a0Hamid\t \u00a0Karzai's\t \u00a0caracul\t \u00a0hat\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 green\t \u00a0chapan\t \u00a0became\t \u00a0famous.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab\t \u00a0sleepwalked\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0all.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Soraya\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0became\t \u00a0involved\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Afghan\t \u00a0projects,\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0much\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0sense\t \u00a0 of\t \u00a0civil\t \u00a0duty\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0need\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0something-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010anything-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010to\t \u00a0fill\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0silence\t \u00a0upstairs,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 silence\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0sucked\t \u00a0everything\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0black\t \u00a0hole.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0never\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0active\t \u00a0 type\t \u00a0before,\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0man\t \u00a0named\t \u00a0Kabir,\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0former\t \u00a0Afghan\t \u00a0ambassador\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0Sofia,\t \u00a0 called\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0asked\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wanted\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0help\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0hospital\t \u00a0project,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0yes.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0 small\t \u00a0hospital\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0stood\t \u00a0near\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Afghan-\u00ad\u2010Pakistani\t \u00a0border\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0small\t \u00a0 surgical\t \u00a0unit\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0treated\t \u00a0Afghan\t \u00a0refugees\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0land\t \u00a0mine\t \u00a0injuries.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0 closed\t \u00a0down\t \u00a0due\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0lack\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0funds.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0became\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0project\t \u00a0manager,\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0co-\u00ad\u2010 manager.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0spent\t \u00a0most\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0days\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0study,\t \u00a0e-\u00ad\u2010mailing\t \u00a0people\t \u00a0around\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 world,\t \u00a0applying\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0grants,\t \u00a0organizing\t \u00a0fund-\u00ad\u2010raising\t \u00a0events.\t \u00a0And\t \u00a0telling\t \u00a0myself\t \u00a0 that\t \u00a0bringing\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0here\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0right\t \u00a0thing\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0do.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 The\t \u00a0year\t \u00a0ended\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0couch,\t \u00a0blanket\t \u00a0spread\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0 legs,\t \u00a0watching\t \u00a0Dick\t \u00a0Clark\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0TV.\t \u00a0People\t \u00a0cheered\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0kissed\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0silver\t \u00a0ball\t \u00a0 dropped,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0confetti\t \u00a0whitened\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0screen.\t \u00a0In\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0house,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0new\t \u00a0year\t \u00a0began\t \u00a0 much\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0same\t \u00a0way\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0last\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0ended.\t \u00a0In\t \u00a0silence.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 THEN,\t \u00a0FOUR\t \u00a0DAYS\t \u00a0AGO,\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0cool\t \u00a0rainy\t \u00a0day\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0March\t \u00a02002,\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0small,\t \u00a0wondrous\t \u00a0 thing\t \u00a0happened.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0took\t \u00a0Soraya,\t \u00a0Khala\t \u00a0Jamila,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0gathering\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Afghans\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0Lake\t \u00a0 Elizabeth\t \u00a0Park\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Fremont.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0general\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0finally\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0summoned\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0 Afghanistan\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0month\t \u00a0before\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0ministry\t \u00a0position,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0flown\t \u00a0there\t \u00a0two\t \u00a0 weeks\t \u00a0earlier-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010he\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0left\t \u00a0behind\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0gray\t \u00a0suit\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0pocket\t \u00a0watch.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0plan\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0 for\t \u00a0Khala\t \u00a0Jamila\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0join\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0few\t \u00a0months\t \u00a0once\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0settled.\t \u00a0She\t \u00a0missed\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0 terribly-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010and\t \u00a0worried\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0health\t \u00a0there-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010and\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0insisted\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0stay\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0 us\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0while.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 The\t \u00a0previous\t \u00a0Thursday,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0first\t \u00a0day\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0spring,\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Afghan\t \u00a0New\t \u00a0 Year's\t \u00a0Day-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010the\t \u00a0Sawl-\u00ad\u2010e-\u00ad\u2010Nau-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010and\t \u00a0Afghans\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0Bay\t \u00a0Area\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0planned\t \u00a0 celebrations\t \u00a0throughout\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0East\t \u00a0Bay\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0peninsula.\t \u00a0Kabir,\t \u00a0Soraya,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0 an\t \u00a0additional\t \u00a0reason\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0rejoice:\t \u00a0Our\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0hospital\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Rawalpindi\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0opened\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0","week\t \u00a0before,\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0surgical\t \u00a0unit,\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0pediatric\t \u00a0clinic.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0good\t \u00a0start,\t \u00a0 we\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0agreed.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 It\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0sunny\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0days,\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0Sunday\t \u00a0morning,\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0swung\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0legs\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0 bed,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0heard\t \u00a0raindrops\t \u00a0pelting\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0window.\t \u00a0Afghan\t \u00a0luck,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0thought.\t \u00a0Snickered.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 prayed\t \u00a0morning\t \u00a0_namaz_\t \u00a0while\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0slept-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010I\t \u00a0didn't\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0consult\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0prayer\t \u00a0 pamphlet\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0obtained\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0mosque\t \u00a0anymore;\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0verses\t \u00a0came\t \u00a0naturally\t \u00a0 now,\t \u00a0effortlessly.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 We\t \u00a0arrived\t \u00a0around\t \u00a0noon\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0found\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0handful\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0people\t \u00a0taking\t \u00a0cover\t \u00a0 under\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0large\t \u00a0rectangular\t \u00a0plastic\t \u00a0sheet\t \u00a0mounted\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0six\t \u00a0poles\t \u00a0spiked\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 ground.\t \u00a0Someone\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0already\t \u00a0frying\t \u00a0bolani;\t \u00a0steam\t \u00a0rose\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0teacups\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0pot\t \u00a0 of\t \u00a0cauliflower\t \u00a0aush.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0scratchy\t \u00a0old\t \u00a0Ahmad\t \u00a0Zahir\t \u00a0song\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0blaring\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0cassette\t \u00a0 player.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0smiled\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0four\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0us\t \u00a0rushed\t \u00a0across\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0soggy\t \u00a0grass\t \u00a0field,\t \u00a0 Soraya\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0lead,\t \u00a0Khala\t \u00a0Jamila\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0middle,\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0behind\t \u00a0us,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hood\t \u00a0 of\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0yellow\t \u00a0raincoat\t \u00a0bouncing\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0back.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"What's\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0funny?\\\"\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0holding\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0folded\t \u00a0newspaper\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0 head.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"You\t \u00a0can\t \u00a0take\t \u00a0Afghans\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Paghman,\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0can't\t \u00a0take\t \u00a0Paghman\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0 Afghans,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 We\t \u00a0stooped\t \u00a0under\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0makeshift\t \u00a0tent.\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Khala\t \u00a0Jamila\t \u00a0drifted\t \u00a0 toward\t \u00a0an\t \u00a0overweight\t \u00a0woman\t \u00a0frying\t \u00a0spinach\t \u00a0bolani.\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0stayed\t \u00a0under\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 canopy\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0moment,\t \u00a0then\t \u00a0stepped\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0rain,\t \u00a0hands\t \u00a0stuffed\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 pockets\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0raincoat,\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0hair-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010now\t \u00a0brown\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0straight\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0Hassan's-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010 plastered\t \u00a0against\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0scalp.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0stopped\t \u00a0near\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0coffee-\u00ad\u2010colored\t \u00a0puddle\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0stared\t \u00a0 at\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0No\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0seemed\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0notice.\t \u00a0No\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0called\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0in.\t \u00a0With\t \u00a0time,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0queries\t \u00a0 about\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0adopted-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010and\t \u00a0decidedly\t \u00a0eccentric-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010little\t \u00a0boy\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0mercifully\t \u00a0ceased,\t \u00a0 and,\t \u00a0considering\t \u00a0how\t \u00a0tactless\t \u00a0Afghan\t \u00a0queries\t \u00a0can\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0sometimes,\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0 considerable\t \u00a0relief.\t \u00a0People\t \u00a0stopped\t \u00a0asking\t \u00a0why\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0never\t \u00a0spoke.\t \u00a0Why\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0didn't\t \u00a0 play\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0other\t \u00a0kids.\t \u00a0And\t \u00a0best\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0all,\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0stopped\t \u00a0suffocating\t \u00a0us\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0their\t \u00a0 exaggerated\t \u00a0empathy,\t \u00a0their\t \u00a0slow\t \u00a0head\t \u00a0shaking,\t \u00a0their\t \u00a0tsk\t \u00a0tsks,\t \u00a0their\t \u00a0\\\"Oh\t \u00a0gung\t \u00a0 bichara.\\\"\t \u00a0Oh,\t \u00a0poor\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0mute\t \u00a0one.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0novelty\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0worn\t \u00a0off.\t \u00a0Like\t \u00a0dull\t \u00a0wallpaper,\t \u00a0 Sohrab\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0blended\t \u00a0into\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0background.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0shook\t \u00a0hands\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0Kabir,\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0small,\t \u00a0silver-\u00ad\u2010haired\t \u00a0man.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0introduced\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0 a\t \u00a0dozen\t \u00a0men,\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0them\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0retired\t \u00a0teacher,\t \u00a0another\t \u00a0an\t \u00a0engineer,\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0former\t \u00a0 architect,\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0surgeon\t \u00a0who\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0now\t \u00a0running\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0hot\t \u00a0dog\t \u00a0stand\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Hayward.\t \u00a0They\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0 said\t \u00a0they'd\t \u00a0known\t \u00a0Baba\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Kabul,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0spoke\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0respectfully.\t \u00a0In\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0","way\t \u00a0or\t \u00a0another,\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0touched\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0their\t \u00a0lives.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0men\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0lucky\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0 had\t \u00a0such\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0great\t \u00a0man\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0father.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 We\t \u00a0chatted\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0difficult\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0maybe\t \u00a0thankless\t \u00a0job\t \u00a0Karzai\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0 front\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0him,\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0upcoming\t \u00a0Loya\t \u00a0jirga,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0king's\t \u00a0imminent\t \u00a0return\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0 his\t \u00a0homeland\t \u00a0after\t \u00a0twenty-\u00ad\u2010eight\t \u00a0years\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0exile.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0remembered\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0night\t \u00a0in\t \u00a01973,\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0night\t \u00a0Zahir\t \u00a0Shah's\t \u00a0cousin\t \u00a0overthrew\t \u00a0him;\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0remembered\t \u00a0gunfire\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sky\t \u00a0 lighting\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0silver-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010Ali\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0taken\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Hassan\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0arms,\t \u00a0told\t \u00a0us\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0be\t \u00a0 afraid,\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0shooting\t \u00a0ducks.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Then\t \u00a0someone\t \u00a0told\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0Mullah\t \u00a0Nasruddin\t \u00a0joke\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0laughing.\t \u00a0 \\\"You\t \u00a0know,\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0father\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0funny\t \u00a0man\t \u00a0too,\\\"\t \u00a0Kabir\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"He\t \u00a0was,\t \u00a0wasn't\t \u00a0he?\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0smiling,\t \u00a0remembering\t \u00a0how,\t \u00a0soon\t \u00a0after\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0 arrived\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0U.S.,\t \u00a0Baba\t \u00a0started\t \u00a0grumbling\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0American\t \u00a0flies.\t \u00a0He'd\t \u00a0sit\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 kitchen\t \u00a0table\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0flyswatter,\t \u00a0watch\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0flies\t \u00a0darting\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0wall\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0wall,\t \u00a0 buzzing\t \u00a0here,\t \u00a0buzzing\t \u00a0there,\t \u00a0harried\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0rushed.\t \u00a0\\\"In\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0country,\t \u00a0even\t \u00a0flies\t \u00a0are\t \u00a0 pressed\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0time,\\\"\t \u00a0he'd\t \u00a0groan.\t \u00a0How\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0laughed.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0smiled\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0memory\t \u00a0now.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 By\t \u00a0three\t \u00a0o'clock,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0rain\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0stopped\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sky\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0curdled\t \u00a0gray\t \u00a0 burdened\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0lumps\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0clouds.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0cool\t \u00a0breeze\t \u00a0blew\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0park.\t \u00a0More\t \u00a0 families\t \u00a0turned\t \u00a0up.\t \u00a0Afghans\t \u00a0greeted\t \u00a0each\t \u00a0other,\t \u00a0hugged,\t \u00a0kissed,\t \u00a0exchanged\t \u00a0food.\t \u00a0 Someone\t \u00a0lighted\t \u00a0coal\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0barbecue\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0soon\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0smell\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0garlic\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0morgh\t \u00a0 kabob\t \u00a0flooded\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0senses.\t \u00a0There\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0music,\t \u00a0some\t \u00a0new\t \u00a0singer\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0didn't\t \u00a0know,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0giggling\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0children.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0saw\t \u00a0Sohrab,\t \u00a0still\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0yellow\t \u00a0raincoat,\t \u00a0leaning\t \u00a0against\t \u00a0 a\t \u00a0garbage\t \u00a0pail,\t \u00a0staring\t \u00a0across\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0park\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0empty\t \u00a0batting\t \u00a0cage.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 A\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0while\t \u00a0later,\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0chatting\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0former\t \u00a0surgeon,\t \u00a0who\t \u00a0told\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0 he\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Baba\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0classmates\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0eighth\t \u00a0grade,\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0pulled\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0sleeve.\t \u00a0 \\\"Amir,\t \u00a0look!\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 She\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0pointing\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sky.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0half-\u00ad\u2010dozen\t \u00a0kites\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0flying\t \u00a0high,\t \u00a0speckles\t \u00a0 of\t \u00a0bright\t \u00a0yellow,\t \u00a0red,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0against\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0gray\t \u00a0sky.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Check\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0out,\\\"\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0time\t \u00a0she\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0pointing\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0guy\t \u00a0selling\t \u00a0 kites\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0stand\t \u00a0nearby.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0","\u00a0 \\\"Hold\t \u00a0this,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0gave\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0cup\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0tea\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0Soraya.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0excused\t \u00a0myself\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 walked\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0stand,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0shoes\t \u00a0squishing\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0wet\t \u00a0grass.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0pointed\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0 yellow\t \u00a0seh-\u00ad\u2010parcha.\t \u00a0\\\"Sawl-\u00ad\u2010e-\u00ad\u2010Nau\t \u00a0mubabrak,\\\"\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0seller\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0taking\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 twenty\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0handing\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0wooden\t \u00a0spool\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0glass\t \u00a0tar.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0thanked\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0wished\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0Happy\t \u00a0New\t \u00a0Year\t \u00a0too.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0tested\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0string\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0way\t \u00a0Hassan\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 used\t \u00a0to,\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0holding\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0between\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0thumb\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0forefinger\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0pulling\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0 reddened\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0blood\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0seller\t \u00a0smiled.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0smiled\t \u00a0back.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0took\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0where\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0standing,\t \u00a0still\t \u00a0leaning\t \u00a0against\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 garbage\t \u00a0pail,\t \u00a0arms\t \u00a0crossed\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0chest.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0looking\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sky.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Do\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0seh-\u00ad\u2010parcha?\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0holding\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0ends\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 cross\t \u00a0bars.\t \u00a0His\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0shifted\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sky\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0me,\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0kite,\t \u00a0then\t \u00a0back.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0few\t \u00a0 rivulets\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0rain\t \u00a0trickled\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0hair,\t \u00a0down\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0face.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"I\t \u00a0read\t \u00a0once\t \u00a0that,\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Malaysia,\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0use\t \u00a0kites\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0catch\t \u00a0fish,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0\\\"I'll\t \u00a0bet\t \u00a0 you\t \u00a0didn't\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0that.\t \u00a0They\t \u00a0tie\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0fishing\t \u00a0line\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0fly\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0beyond\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0shallow\t \u00a0 waters,\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0doesn't\t \u00a0cast\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0shadow\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0scare\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0fish.\t \u00a0And\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0ancient\t \u00a0China,\t \u00a0 generals\t \u00a0used\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0fly\t \u00a0kites\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0battlefields\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0send\t \u00a0messages\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0their\t \u00a0men.\t \u00a0It's\t \u00a0 true.\t \u00a0I'm\t \u00a0not\t \u00a0slipping\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0trick.\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0showed\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0bloody\t \u00a0thumb.\t \u00a0\\\"Nothing\t \u00a0 wrong\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0tar\t \u00a0either.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Out\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0corner\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0eye,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0saw\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0watching\t \u00a0us\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0tent.\t \u00a0 Hands\t \u00a0tensely\t \u00a0dug\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0armpits.\t \u00a0Unlike\t \u00a0me,\t \u00a0she'd\t \u00a0gradually\t \u00a0abandoned\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0 attempts\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0engaging\t \u00a0him.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0unanswered\t \u00a0questions,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0blank\t \u00a0stares,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 silence,\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0too\t \u00a0painful.\t \u00a0She\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0shifted\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0\\\"Holding\t \u00a0Pattern,\\\"\t \u00a0waiting\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0 green\t \u00a0light\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0Sohrab.\t \u00a0Waiting.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0wet\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0index\t \u00a0finger\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0held\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0up.\t \u00a0\\\"I\t \u00a0remember\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0way\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0father\t \u00a0 checked\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0wind\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0kick\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0dust\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0sandal,\t \u00a0see\t \u00a0which\t \u00a0way\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0wind\t \u00a0 blew\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0knew\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0lot\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0tricks\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0that,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0Lowered\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0finger.\t \u00a0\\\"West,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 think.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab\t \u00a0wiped\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0raindrop\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0earlobe\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0shifted\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0feet.\t \u00a0Said\t \u00a0 nothing.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0thought\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Soraya\t \u00a0asking\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0few\t \u00a0months\t \u00a0ago\t \u00a0what\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0voice\t \u00a0sounded\t \u00a0 like.\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0told\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0didn't\t \u00a0remember\t \u00a0anymore.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0","\u00a0 \\\"Did\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0ever\t \u00a0tell\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0father\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0best\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0runner\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Wazir\t \u00a0Akbar\t \u00a0 Khan?\t \u00a0Maybe\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Kabul?\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0knotting\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0loose\t \u00a0end\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0spool\t \u00a0tar\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 string\t \u00a0loop\t \u00a0tied\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0center\t \u00a0spar.\t \u00a0\\\"How\t \u00a0jealous\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0made\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0neighborhood\t \u00a0kids.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 He'd\t \u00a0run\t \u00a0kites\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0never\t \u00a0look\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sky,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0people\t \u00a0used\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0say\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0 chasing\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0kite's\t \u00a0shadow.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0they\t \u00a0didn't\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0did.\t \u00a0Your\t \u00a0father\t \u00a0wasn't\t \u00a0 chasing\t \u00a0any\t \u00a0shadows.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0just...\t \u00a0knew\\\"\t \u00a0Another\t \u00a0half-\u00ad\u2010dozen\t \u00a0kites\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0taken\t \u00a0flight.\t \u00a0 People\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0started\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0gather\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0clumps,\t \u00a0teacups\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0hand,\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0glued\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sky.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Do\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0help\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0fly\t \u00a0this?\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab's\t \u00a0gaze\t \u00a0bounced\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0Back\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0sky.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Okay.\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0shrugged.\t \u00a0\\\"Looks\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0I'll\t \u00a0have\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0fly\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0tanhaii.\\\"\t \u00a0Solo.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0balanced\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0spool\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0left\t \u00a0hand\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0fed\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0three\t \u00a0feet\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0tar.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0 yellow\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0dangled\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0end\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0it,\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0above\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0wet\t \u00a0grass.\t \u00a0\\\"Last\t \u00a0chance,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0 But\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0looking\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0pair\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0kites\t \u00a0tangling\t \u00a0high\t \u00a0above\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0trees.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"All\t \u00a0right.\t \u00a0Here\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0go.\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0took\t \u00a0off\t \u00a0running,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0sneakers\t \u00a0splashing\t \u00a0rainwater\t \u00a0 from\t \u00a0puddles,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hand\t \u00a0clutching\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0end\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0string\t \u00a0held\t \u00a0high\t \u00a0above\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 head.\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0long,\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0many\t \u00a0years\t \u00a0since\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0done\t \u00a0this,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wondered\t \u00a0if\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0 make\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0spectacle\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0myself.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0let\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0spool\t \u00a0roll\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0left\t \u00a0hand\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0ran,\t \u00a0felt\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 string\t \u00a0cut\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0right\t \u00a0hand\t \u00a0again\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0fed\t \u00a0through.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0lifting\t \u00a0behind\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 shoulder\t \u00a0now,\t \u00a0lifting,\t \u00a0wheeling,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0ran\t \u00a0harder.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0spool\t \u00a0spun\t \u00a0faster\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 glass\t \u00a0string\t \u00a0tore\t \u00a0another\t \u00a0gash\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0right\t \u00a0palm.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0stopped\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0turned.\t \u00a0Looked\t \u00a0up.\t \u00a0 Smiled.\t \u00a0High\t \u00a0above,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0tilting\t \u00a0side\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0side\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0pendulum,\t \u00a0making\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0 old\t \u00a0paper-\u00ad\u2010bird-\u00ad\u2010flapping-\u00ad\u2010its-\u00ad\u2010wings\t \u00a0sound\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0always\t \u00a0associated\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0winter\t \u00a0 mornings\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Kabul.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0hadn't\t \u00a0flown\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0quarter\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0century,\t \u00a0but\t \u00a0suddenly\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 was\t \u00a0twelve\t \u00a0again\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0old\t \u00a0instincts\t \u00a0came\t \u00a0rushing\t \u00a0back.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0felt\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0presence\t \u00a0next\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0looked\t \u00a0down.\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0Sohrab.\t \u00a0Hands\t \u00a0dug\t \u00a0 deep\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0pockets\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0raincoat.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0followed\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Do\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0try?\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0asked.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0said\t \u00a0nothing.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0held\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0string\t \u00a0 out\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0him,\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0hand\t \u00a0lifted\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0pocket.\t \u00a0Hesitated.\t \u00a0Took\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0string.\t \u00a0My\t \u00a0heart\t \u00a0 quickened\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0spun\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0spool\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0gather\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0loose\t \u00a0string.\t \u00a0We\t \u00a0stood\t \u00a0quietly\t \u00a0side\t \u00a0by\t \u00a0 side.\t \u00a0Necks\t \u00a0bent\t \u00a0up.\t \u00a0","\u00a0 \t \u00a0 Around\t \u00a0us,\t \u00a0kids\t \u00a0chased\t \u00a0each\t \u00a0other,\t \u00a0slid\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0grass.\t \u00a0Someone\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0playing\t \u00a0 an\t \u00a0old\t \u00a0Hindi\t \u00a0movie\t \u00a0soundtrack\t \u00a0now.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0line\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0elderly\t \u00a0men\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0praying\t \u00a0 afternoon\t \u00a0_namaz_\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0plastic\t \u00a0sheet\t \u00a0spread\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0ground.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0air\t \u00a0smelled\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0 wet\t \u00a0grass,\t \u00a0smoke,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0grilled\t \u00a0meat.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wished\t \u00a0time\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0stand\t \u00a0still.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Then\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0saw\t \u00a0we\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0company.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0closing\t \u00a0in.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0traced\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 string\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0kid\t \u00a0standing\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0thirty\t \u00a0yards\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0us.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0crew\t \u00a0cut\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0T-\u00ad\u2010 shirt\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0read\t \u00a0THE\t \u00a0ROCK\t \u00a0RULES\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0bold\t \u00a0block\t \u00a0letters.\t \u00a0He\t \u00a0saw\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0looking\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0smiled.\t \u00a0Waved.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0waved\t \u00a0back.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Sohrab\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0handing\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0string\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Are\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0sure?\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0taking\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 He\t \u00a0took\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0spool\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Okay,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0\\\"Let's\t \u00a0give\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0sabagh,\t \u00a0teach\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0lesson,\t \u00a0nay?\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0glanced\t \u00a0 over\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0him.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0glassy,\t \u00a0vacant\t \u00a0look\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0gone.\t \u00a0His\t \u00a0gaze\t \u00a0flitted\t \u00a0 between\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0one.\t \u00a0His\t \u00a0face\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0flushed,\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0 suddenly\t \u00a0alert.\t \u00a0Awake.\t \u00a0Alive.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0wondered\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0forgotten\t \u00a0that,\t \u00a0despite\t \u00a0 everything,\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0still\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0child.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 The\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0making\t \u00a0its\t \u00a0move.\t \u00a0\\\"Let's\t \u00a0wait,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0\\\"We'll\t \u00a0let\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0get\t \u00a0 a\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0closer.\\\"\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0dipped\t \u00a0twice\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0crept\t \u00a0toward\t \u00a0us.\t \u00a0\\\"Come\t \u00a0on.\t \u00a0Come\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0me,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 said.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 The\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0drew\t \u00a0closer\t \u00a0yet,\t \u00a0now\t \u00a0rising\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0little\t \u00a0above\t \u00a0us,\t \u00a0unaware\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0 the\t \u00a0trap\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0set\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0\\\"Watch,\t \u00a0Sohrab.\t \u00a0I'm\t \u00a0going\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0show\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0father's\t \u00a0 favorite\t \u00a0tricks,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0old\t \u00a0lift-\u00ad\u2010and-\u00ad\u2010dive.\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Next\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0me,\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0breathing\t \u00a0rapidly\t \u00a0through\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0nose.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0spool\t \u00a0 rolled\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0palms,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0tendons\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0scarred\t \u00a0wrists\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0rubab\t \u00a0strings.\t \u00a0Then\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 blinked\t \u00a0and,\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0moment,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hands\t \u00a0holding\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0spool\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0chipped-\u00ad\u2010 nailed,\t \u00a0calloused\t \u00a0hands\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0harelipped\t \u00a0boy.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0heard\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0crow\t \u00a0cawing\t \u00a0somewhere\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0looked\t \u00a0up.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0park\t \u00a0shimmered\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0snow\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0fresh,\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0dazzling\t \u00a0white,\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0 burned\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0eyes.\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0sprinkled\t \u00a0soundlessly\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0branches\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0white-\u00ad\u2010clad\t \u00a0trees.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0","smelled\t \u00a0turnip\t \u00a0qurina\t \u00a0now.\t \u00a0Dried\t \u00a0mulberries.\t \u00a0Sour\t \u00a0oranges.\t \u00a0Sawdust\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 walnuts.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0muffled\t \u00a0quiet,\t \u00a0snow-\u00ad\u2010quiet,\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0deafening.\t \u00a0Then\t \u00a0far\t \u00a0away,\t \u00a0across\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 stillness,\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0voice\t \u00a0calling\t \u00a0us\t \u00a0home,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0voice\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0man\t \u00a0who\t \u00a0dragged\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0right\t \u00a0leg.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 The\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0hovered\t \u00a0directly\t \u00a0above\t \u00a0us\t \u00a0now.\t \u00a0\\\"He's\t \u00a0going\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0Anytime\t \u00a0 now,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0said,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0eyes\t \u00a0flicking\t \u00a0from\t \u00a0Sohrab\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0kite.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 The\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0hesitated.\t \u00a0Held\t \u00a0position.\t \u00a0Then\t \u00a0shot\t \u00a0down.\t \u00a0\\\"Here\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0comes!\\\"\t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0said.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0did\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0perfectly.\t \u00a0After\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0these\t \u00a0years.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0old\t \u00a0lift-\u00ad\u2010and-\u00ad\u2010dive\t \u00a0trap.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 loosened\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0grip\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0tugged\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0string,\t \u00a0dipping\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0dodging\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0kite.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0 series\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0quick\t \u00a0sidearm\t \u00a0jerks\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0shot\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0counterclockwise,\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0half\t \u00a0 circle.\t \u00a0Suddenly\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0top.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0scrambling\t \u00a0now,\t \u00a0panic-\u00ad\u2010stricken.\t \u00a0 But\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0too\t \u00a0late.\t \u00a0I'd\t \u00a0already\t \u00a0slipped\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0Hassan's\t \u00a0trick.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0pulled\t \u00a0hard\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0 kite\t \u00a0plummeted.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0could\t \u00a0almost\t \u00a0feel\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0string\t \u00a0sawing\t \u00a0his.\t \u00a0Almost\t \u00a0heard\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0snap.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Then,\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0that,\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0green\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0spinning\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0wheeling\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0 control.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Behind\t \u00a0us,\t \u00a0people\t \u00a0cheered.\t \u00a0Whistles\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0applause\t \u00a0broke\t \u00a0out.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0 panting.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0last\t \u00a0time\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0felt\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0rush\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0day\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0winter\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0 1975,\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0after\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0cut\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0last\t \u00a0kite,\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0spotted\t \u00a0Baba\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0our\t \u00a0rooftop,\t \u00a0 clapping,\t \u00a0beaming.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0looked\t \u00a0down\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0Sohrab.\t \u00a0One\t \u00a0corner\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0mouth\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0curled\t \u00a0up\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0so.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 A\t \u00a0smile.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Lopsided.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Hardly\t \u00a0there.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 But\t \u00a0there.\t \u00a0","\u00a0 \t \u00a0 Behind\t \u00a0us,\t \u00a0kids\t \u00a0were\t \u00a0scampering,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0melee\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0screaming\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0runners\t \u00a0 was\t \u00a0chasing\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0loose\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0drifting\t \u00a0high\t \u00a0above\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0trees.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0blinked\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0smile\t \u00a0 was\t \u00a0gone.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0been\t \u00a0there.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0had\t \u00a0seen\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"Do\t \u00a0you\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0run\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0kite\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0you?\\\"\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 His\t \u00a0Adam's\t \u00a0apple\t \u00a0rose\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0fell\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0he\t \u00a0swallowed.\t \u00a0The\t \u00a0wind\t \u00a0lifted\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0hair.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 thought\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0saw\t \u00a0him\t \u00a0nod.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \\\"For\t \u00a0you,\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0thousand\t \u00a0times\t \u00a0over,\\\"\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0heard\t \u00a0myself\t \u00a0say.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Then\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0turned\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0ran.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 It\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0only\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0smile,\t \u00a0nothing\t \u00a0more.\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0didn't\t \u00a0make\t \u00a0everything\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0right.\t \u00a0It\t \u00a0 didn't\t \u00a0make\t \u00a0anything\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0right.\t \u00a0Only\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0smile.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0tiny\t \u00a0thing.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0leaf\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0woods,\t \u00a0 shaking\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0wake\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0startled\t \u00a0bird's\t \u00a0flight.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 But\t \u00a0I'll\t \u00a0take\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0With\t \u00a0open\t \u00a0arms.\t \u00a0Because\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0spring\t \u00a0comes,\t \u00a0it\t \u00a0melts\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 snow\t \u00a0one\t \u00a0flake\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0time,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0maybe\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0just\t \u00a0witnessed\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0first\t \u00a0flake\t \u00a0melting.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0ran.\t \u00a0A\t \u00a0grown\t \u00a0man\t \u00a0running\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0swarm\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0screaming\t \u00a0children.\t \u00a0But\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 didn't\t \u00a0care.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0ran\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0wind\t \u00a0blowing\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0face,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0smile\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0wide\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0 Valley\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0Panjsher\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0lips.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0ran.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 The\t \u00a0End\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0","\u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0am\t \u00a0indebted\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0following\t \u00a0colleagues\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0their\t \u00a0advice,\t \u00a0assistance,\t \u00a0or\t \u00a0support:\t \u00a0 Dr.\t \u00a0Alfred\t \u00a0Lerner,\t \u00a0Don\t \u00a0Vakis,\t \u00a0Robin\t \u00a0Heck,\t \u00a0Dr.\t \u00a0Todd\t \u00a0Dray,\t \u00a0Dr.\t \u00a0Robert\t \u00a0Tull,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Dr.\t \u00a0 Sandy\t \u00a0Chun.\t \u00a0Thanks\t \u00a0also\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0Lynette\t \u00a0Parker\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0East\t \u00a0San\t \u00a0Jose\t \u00a0Community\t \u00a0Law\t \u00a0 Center\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0advice\t \u00a0about\t \u00a0adoption\t \u00a0procedures,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0Mr.\t \u00a0Daoud\t \u00a0Wahab\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0 sharing\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0experiences\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Afghanistan\t \u00a0with\t \u00a0me.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0am\t \u00a0grateful\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0dear\t \u00a0friend\t \u00a0 Tamim\t \u00a0Ansary\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0his\t \u00a0guidance\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0support\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0gang\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0San\t \u00a0Francisco\t \u00a0 Writers\t \u00a0Workshop\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0their\t \u00a0feed\t \u00a0back\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0encouragement.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0thank\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 father,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0oldest\t \u00a0friend\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0inspiration\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0all\t \u00a0that\t \u00a0is\t \u00a0noble\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0Baba;\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 mother\t \u00a0who\t \u00a0prayed\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0did\t \u00a0nazr\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0every\t \u00a0stage\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0book's\t \u00a0writing;\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0 aunt\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0buying\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0books\t \u00a0when\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0was\t \u00a0young.\t \u00a0Thanks\t \u00a0go\t \u00a0out\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0Ali,\t \u00a0Sandy,\t \u00a0Daoud,\t \u00a0 Walid,\t \u00a0Raya,\t \u00a0Shalla,\t \u00a0Zahra,\t \u00a0Rob,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Kader\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0reading\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0stories.\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0want\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0thank\t \u00a0 Dr.\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0Mrs.\t \u00a0Kayoumy-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010my\t \u00a0other\t \u00a0parents-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010for\t \u00a0their\t \u00a0warmth\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0unwavering\t \u00a0 support.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 I\t \u00a0must\t \u00a0thank\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0agent\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0friend,\t \u00a0Elaine\t \u00a0Koster,\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0wisdom,\t \u00a0patience,\t \u00a0 and\t \u00a0gracious\t \u00a0ways,\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0well\t \u00a0as\t \u00a0Cindy\t \u00a0Spiegel,\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0keen-\u00ad\u2010eyed\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0judicious\t \u00a0editor\t \u00a0 who\t \u00a0helped\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0unlock\t \u00a0so\t \u00a0many\t \u00a0doors\t \u00a0in\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0tale.\t \u00a0And\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0would\t \u00a0like\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0thank\t \u00a0 Susan\t \u00a0Petersen\t \u00a0Kennedy\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0taking\t \u00a0a\t \u00a0chance\t \u00a0on\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0book\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0the\t \u00a0hardworking\t \u00a0 staff\t \u00a0at\t \u00a0Riverhead\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0laboring\t \u00a0over\t \u00a0it.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Last,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0don't\t \u00a0know\t \u00a0how\t \u00a0to\t \u00a0thank\t \u00a0my\t \u00a0lovely\t \u00a0wife,\t \u00a0Roya-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010to\t \u00a0whose\t \u00a0opinion\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0 am\t \u00a0addicted-\u00ad\u2010-\u00ad\u2010for\t \u00a0her\t \u00a0kindness\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0grace,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0for\t \u00a0reading,\t \u00a0re-\u00ad\u2010reading,\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 helping\t \u00a0me\t \u00a0edit\t \u00a0every\t \u00a0single\t \u00a0draft\t \u00a0of\t \u00a0this\t \u00a0novel.\t \u00a0For\t \u00a0your\t \u00a0patience\t \u00a0and\t \u00a0 understanding,\t \u00a0I\t \u00a0will\t \u00a0always\t \u00a0love\t \u00a0you,\t \u00a0Roya\t \u00a0jan.\t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 \t \u00a0 Additional\t \u00a0Items:\t \u00a0"]