Sami burned his tongue on a sip of tea. There it was, that vague feeling brewing in his guts. It crystallized in Hanna’s voice: disappointment. His father was not a freedom fighter, nor was he a supporter of one. He was passive, idealistic; in Hanna’s view, a weakling.
Sami set down his glass. “Dad immigrated to the US with his parents. He wanted to finish his studies and make a decent life for himself, his family.” Sami saw his words hit an invisible wall in front of Hanna and fall to the floor, the letters scattering under the couches, along with his attempt at justifying his father’s actions. Or lack thereof.
“I learned from Waleed that your father borrowed money from him before he left. A large sum.”
“Yes, I know. Dad tried to pay it back. Waleed disappeared before he could.”
“I se
