I haven’t been very good about updating my blog – in ‘real’ time, I am up to chapter 46, but I have been writing my summaries.
Part Two
Chapter 9 Late Summer 1960
Ellie is seventeen. She is in her final year at school. She’s popular and beautiful (her words). She’s met the boy her will become her husband.
The coup d’état in 1953 has made no difference to them.
And Homa? They did write and met twice. Ellie’s mother wouldn’t allow them in the house and it was too hard for a ten year old to go ‘downtown’. Ellie wore the necklace for three years.
Ellie is worried about Homa’s father during the coup (he is a communist).
She thinks her mother and uncle love one another.
I promised so that she’d stop lecturing more than anything else. But like the embers of a fire, her words nestled into the crevices of my body. I internalised them and grew to believe that I needed to protect what was rightfully mine. Why shouldn’t I have it all? I deserved the best.
Chapter 10 Spring 1960
This is a flashback to when Ellie met Mehrdad. They were in Year 11. It was the Iranian new year (they celebrate it on the Spring Equinox). On day 13 everyone heads to the outdoors, parks etc.
For the celebration Ellie grew lentils. Now she needs to tie the blades together, drop it in the river, and wish for a husband.
Mehrdad is at the river’s edge and they chat.
Chapter 11 1960 September
We are at Ellie’s school. There is a queen bee Afarin, Ellie wants her power.
A new student is joining the school – Homa!
Homa is the same – confident and enthusiastic. Ellie is mortified. Homa tells a rambling story about how her and Ellie are ‘bestest’ friends. Afarin loves, and following her lead, so do others. Ellie tries to leave for lunch quickly, but Homa catches up. She joins them for lunch and wins over Ellie’s friends. Ellie’s better side emerges.