Page 88 - A Woman Is No Man

Isra looked up, startled to hear Sarah speak to her directly. “What do
you mean?”
“Your child is a blessing no matter what, even if it’s a girl.”

Isra tugged on the edges of her nightgown and looked away. She
remembered uttering those very same words to Mama when she was
pregnant: It’s a blessing no matter what. She didn’t want to be one of those
women who didn’t want a daughter, didn’t want to be like Mama, who told
Isra she had cried for days after she was born.
“Of course it’s a blessing,” Isra said. “Of course.”
“I don’t understand what’s so special about having sons,” Sarah said. “Is

your mother this way, too?”
“Yes,” Isra admitted. “I hoped things would be different here.”
Sarah shrugged. “Most of my American friends at school claim their
parents don’t care. But you should listen to my mom’s friends. They’re
unbelievable. If it was up to them, we’d still live in Arabia and bury our
female infants alive.”

Sarah made a face at her, and Isra couldn’t help but feel as though she
was looking at a younger version of herself. She’d never imagined they’d
share anything in common: Sarah was raised in America, had attended a co-
ed public school, had led a life so different from her own. Isra attempted a
small smile and was rewarded when Sarah grinned back.
“So, do you know any English?”
“I can read and write,” Isra said proudly.

“Really? I didn’t think anyone in Palestine knew English.”
“We learn English in school.”
“Can you speak it?”
“Not well,” Isra said, blushing. “My accent is very heavy.”
“I’m sure it’s not that bad. My brother said you went to an all-girls
school, and that I should be thankful our parents send me to public school.”

“I can’t imagine what that must be like,” Isra said. “You know, going to
school with boys. My parents never would’ve allowed it.”
“Well, my parents don’t have much choice. They can’t afford the all-
girls schools around here. Technically, I’m not supposed to talk to the boys
in my class, but what am I supposed to do? Walk around with a sign on my
head that says ‘Please don’t talk to me if you’re a boy’?” Sarah rolled her
eyes.