Yara’s Journal

Summary

• The chapter recounts a memory from Yara's journal, taking place in a Brooklyn apartment where she and the person she is speaking to are rolling grape leaves.
• The atmosphere of the memory is described vividly, with the sun setting outside and a faint breeze coming through the window.
• Yara inquires about a necklace that the other person is wearing, prompting them to share its origin story.
• The necklace was given to the other person by their mother (Yara's grandmother) who was superstitious and once sewed a hamsa bead around the handle of an oud to protect from envy.
• Yara expresses a desire to wear the necklace for protection, which causes discomfort or fear in the other person's expression.
• The other person, seemingly Yara's mother, explains that she feels unable to protect Yara or teach her necessary life lessons because she herself was never taught them.
• Yara's mother regrets not knowing how to protect Yara and feels that she only knows what it is to be cursed.
• An emotional moment occurs where the mother looks down, tries to hide tears, and wishes she could have done things differently.
• The mother expresses hope for Yara's future, believing that Yara will be able to do things better and sees goodness ahead for her.
• Yara's mother uses the phrase "Inshallah," which means "God willing," to express her hope for Yara's bright future.