Page 67 - A Woman Is No Man

It was nearly midnight when Adam returned home. Isra was sitting by
the window when she heard him descend the stairs, watched him as he
switched on the basement light. He flinched when he saw her sitting by the

window, both hands wrapped around her knees like a child.
“Why are you sitting here in the dark?”
“I was just looking outside.”
“I thought you’d be asleep.”
“I’ve been sleeping all day.”
“Oh.” He looked away. “Well, in that case, why don’t you fix me up
something to eat while I shower. I’m starving.”

Upstairs, Fareeda had neatly assembled servings of rice and chicken in
the fridge, each covered with plastic wrap and marked with one of her sons’
names. Isra searched for Adam’s plate and heated it in the microwave. Then
she set the sufra the way Mama had taught her. A cup of water to the right,
a spoon to the left. Two warm loaves of pita. A small bowl of green olives
and a few slices of tomatoes. An ibrik of mint chai brewed on the stove.

Just as the teakettle whistled, Adam appeared in the doorway.
“It smells delicious,” he said. “Did you cook?”
“No,” Isra said, flushing. “I was asleep for most of the day. Your mother
made this for you.”
“Ah, I see.”
Isra couldn’t make out his tone, but his potential disappointment filled
her with unease. “I’ll be sure to cook for you tomorrow.”

“I’m sure you will. Your father mentioned you were a good cook when
we came to ask for you.”
Was she a good cook? Isra had never stopped to consider this, much less
think of it as a skill.
“He also said you were a woman of few words.”
If Isra’s face had been pink before, she was certain it was now crimson.

She opened her mouth to respond, but words wouldn’t come.
“I don’t mean to embarrass you,” Adam said. “There’s no shame in
being quiet. In fact, I appreciate the quality. There’s nothing worse than
coming home to a woman whose voice never stops.”
Isra nodded, though she didn’t know what she was agreeing to. She
studied Adam from across the table as he ate, wondering whether he would
be capable of giving her the kind of love she yearned for. She looked deep

into his face, trying to find warmth in there. But his dark brown eyes were