Sunlight came in through the window weakly. It was on the floor opposite where she slept. She watched it slowly grow stronger and light up the room and climb the walls and spread out toward her and onto the bed and over her body until it warmed her face. Since her first trip to Pakistan, she woke without fail at the first sign of sunlight. Prior to that she was jolted awake by music or the sound of happy, enthusiastic voices, the happiest and most enthusiastic of which reported the weather and offered advice on what to wear—specific, sponsor-influenced advice that included certain brands of socks, boots, hats, gloves, scarves and coats—as if the recipe for a perfect day was no more complicated than dressing appropriately.
Waking up earlier was one of the smaller changes Norah had made. Th
