Page 236 - A Woman Is No Man

covered up for him once when Khaled had found a can of Budweiser in the
trash outside. She sighed and sat back down to wait for her daughter.

By the time the school bus finally let Sarah off at the corner, the sky had
mostly cleared. Fareeda rose to meet her.

“What are you up to?” Fareeda began as Sarah approached the house.
Sarah dropped her backpack to the ground, took another step toward
her. “What are you talking about?”
“All the girls in your class have had marriage proposals,” Fareeda said,
waving her hands. “All but you!” Sarah took a step back, stealing a glance
at Isra. “It doesn’t make sense. Umm Fadi is turning down suitors for her
daughter left and right. Umm Ali’s daughter is already engaged, and she’s

hideous. Even Hannah is married!”
Sarah opened her mouth but said nothing. Fareeda moved closer. “You
must be up to something,” she said, her index finger almost touching
Sarah’s forehead. “All these suitors, and not one has come back. Tell me!
What have you done?”
“Nothing, Mama!” Sarah said. “I haven’t done anything.”

“You expect me to believe that? Walek, look at you! Men should be
lined up at my door. Mothers should be calling me day and night begging
for you! But they take one look at you and never return. What are you doing
behind my back?” Sarah gave no answer but there was defiance in her eyes.
“I asked you a question. Answer me!”
“I already told you. I haven’t done anything wrong.”
“You have the nerve to give me an attitude? Unbelievable!” Fareeda

reached out and struck Sarah full in the face with the flat of her palm. The
force of her blow caused the girl to step back, cupping her cheek in her
hand.
“Come here!” Fareeda reached out, grabbed Sarah’s hair, and pulled it
hard. “This is what I get for not beating you more often! I must have raised
a sharmouta! That’s why no one will come near us! That’s why I still have

an eighteen-year-old girl sitting in my face!” She pulled on her hair again,
harder this time, jerked her head toward the ground.
“Fareeda!” Isra cried out, grabbing her arm. Nadine started to do the
same, but Fareeda pushed them off.
“Don’t you dare interfere! Get away!” She tightened her fist around
Sarah’s hair and dragged her through the front door. Inside she shoved the