Page 176 - A Woman Is No Man

it for her English class. They’d sat together on Isra’s bed, knees grazing, the
book like a warm fire between them.
“You’re going to love these,” Sarah told Isra that night. She placed a

pile of books on the bed, and Isra scanned them, noticing that a few were
picture books. She picked up Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss.
“I know you wanted more books for the girls,” Sarah said. “I think it’s
really great that you’re reading to them. It will help with their English. You
don’t want them to struggle with it when they start school like I did.”
“Thank you,” Isra said with a smile. Ever since Sarah had started
bringing her picture books for the girls, she had begun gathering her

daughters around her before she put them to bed, a picture book spread
across her lap. She thought they liked the softness of her voice in English,
the sound of her tongue as she pronounced unfamiliar words. A gust of
happiness would fill her in those moments as she watched her daughters,
smiling wide, looking up at her as though she was the best mother in the
world, as though she hadn’t failed them every day of their lives.

“Is there anything specific you want to read tonight?” Sarah asked.
“There’s lots of good books here.” She pointed to a black-and-white cover.
“A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is one of my favorites, but I don’t know if you’ll
love it as much as I do.”
Isra looked up. “Why not?”
“Because it’s not a romance.”
“Good. I’m glad.”

“Glad of what?”
“That it’s not a romance.”
Sarah met her eyes. “Since when?”
“I just don’t have a taste for romances anymore,” Isra said. “I’d rather
read a book that teaches me something.” She paused. “A story that is more
realistic.”

“Are you saying you don’t think love stories are realistic?”
Isra shrugged.
“What’s this? Isra, a cynic?” Sarah laughed. “I can’t believe my ears.
What have I done to you?”
Isra only smiled. “What are you reading in class?”
“We just started one of my favorites, a novel about a world where books
are outlawed and burned. Can you imagine life without books?”