【】fiuldsit,butbabae.etoe.idsitbythedoor,kneesdrayesisatthereforanhour,sotisteningtotheirlaughter,theirchatter.</p>

thelivingrooobuiltygrandfatherandkingnadirshahtakenin1931,typarentsytheraslingyoungprinilingiababyinthatphotographandbabaisholding,lookingtiredandgriinhisar,butitsrahihanspinkyfingersarecurledaround.</p>

theyfatherstasteforextravagantparties,itdidjustthatalsteveryarblefireplace,ale.</p>

alargeslidingglassdooropeoaseint,peppers,andarohatneverreallytook.hassanandiusedtocallit“theo.”</p>

ohendofthegarden,intheshadoe,adestlittledhuthhisfather.</p>

itytherdiedgivingbirthto.</p>

ieehatilivedinthathouse,isteppedintohassanandalisquartersonlyahandfuloftis.udshaps.thereattressesonoppositesidesoftherooaingtheashad.</p>

itallshaoherherrhagedtodeathduringchildbirth,hassanlosthislessthanaostafghansnsideredfarhah:sheranoffhaoftravelingsingersanddancers.</p>

hassaalkedabouthisther,asifshedneverexisted.ialedabouther,abouteether.didheaetoneday,fathershousetoilitarybarrae.sa,andcalledhassan.</p>

“hey,you”hesaid.“iknowyou.”</p>