Page 85 - A Woman Is No Man

it. From the rebellious look on Sarah’s face whenever Fareeda spoke, Isra
sensed her resentment.
“Sarah!” Fareeda shouted from the base of the stairs. “Come down

here!”
“Coming!” Sarah called back.
“Go see what’s taking her so long,” Fareeda told Isra when Sarah still
hadn’t come a minute later. Isra did as she was told. At the top of the
staircase, she could see Sarah in her room. She was reading, holding the
book to her face like a shield, inhaling the words as if they were fueling her
somehow. Isra was mesmerized by the sight.

“What is she doing?” Fareeda yelled from the bottom of the staircase.
“I don’t know,” Isra lied.
“Sure you don’t.” Fareeda stomped up the staircase.
“Sarah . . . ,” Isra whispered in an attempt to warn her. But it was too
late. Fareeda was already at the top of the stairs.
“I knew it!” She stormed into the room and snatched the book from

Sarah’s hand. “Why didn’t you come downstairs like I asked?”
“I wanted to finish the chapter.”
“Finish the chapter?” Fareeda placed her hand on her hips. “And what
makes you think some book is more important than learning how to cook?”
Sarah let out a sigh, and Isra felt her stomach drop. In her head she
could hear Mama’s voice saying that books had no use, that all a woman
needed to learn was patience, and no book could teach her that.

“Tell me,” Fareeda said, moving closer to Sarah. “Will books teach you
how to cook and clean? Will they help you find a husband? Will they help
you raise children?”
“There’s more to life than having a husband and children,” Sarah said.
“I never hear you telling Ali to stop studying or put down his books. How
come he’s allowed to go to college? Why don’t you ever pressure him about

marriage?”
“Because marriage is what’s important for girls,” Fareeda snapped. “Not
college. You’re almost a teenager. It’s time you grew up and learned this
now: A woman is not a man.”
“But it’s not fair!” Sarah shouted.
“Don’t backtalk to me,” Fareeda said, lifting her open palm. “Another
word, and I’ll slap you.”