When Stars Are Scattered

On a violet background crowded even more tightly with tents than in early chapters, a brief time stamp indicates a passage of two years. Omar sums up changes: He has some new clothes from the deceased son of a friend of Fatuma’s. Fatuma, Omar, and Hassan now own a goat; Brownie’s milk better sustains them, as they have milk for consumption and selling. Jeri and Omar made it into middle school along with Nimo. Maryam is married and helps supervise Hassan while Omar is at school. One teacher, Michael, motivates the students with the advice that they, as refugees, deserve just as much as others do. Michael asks the students to read aloud their compositions on what job they hope to pursue. Omar speaks about working for the UN in social work to help refugees. Nimo speaks about becoming a lawyer to help girls and women, and Jeri wants to be a teacher.

Jeri and Omar accompany Nimo to the market after school. Jeri’s father is there, chewing on khat with other men who loiter in the marketplace; Omar knows that khat “kind of helps you… forget things” (126). Jeri’s father is upset because he was optimistic about resettling in America, but the opportunity did not come.