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Scene One: An Iraqi Home Before the Storm
Baghdad, in the late summer of 1979, looked like a city adorning itself for its own sake.
The sky was clear, the Tigris flowed quietly as if watching the people from afar, and the old houses with their carved wooden doors stood like guardians of history.
In one of these calm alleyways, near the scent of warm bread rising from the neighborhood bakery, stood the home of the Salem family.
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Scene Two: The House
The house was simple yet warm—built of red brick, with a heavy wooden door shaded by a small grapevine arbor that cast delicate threads of shadow over the entrance.
Inside:
The rugs were neatly spread across the cement floor.
A brass wall clock announced the time with a ringing chime.
A wooden table gathered the family every ev
