Run for it. Go. Get away. Forget the chance of a proper meal. You know medical-wasting is the worst job in Mokattam. Now Aaron wishes he’d begged Hosi to take him back. Anything is better than this and he knows what will happen next. Noha hands Aaron a plate of rice and oily brown lentils and a huge grin spreads across her wrinkled, kind face. For a moment the rich smell disguises the stink of plastic and old bandages coming from the bags, but it’s already too late. Too late because he’s accepted the food and he can read the payment she wants in her eyes. Jacob’s pretty sisters watch Aaron with interest. He’s never been inside their two-and-a-half-room home before and they’re surprised their mother has allowed a handsome boy to come this close now that they are twelve and thirteen years old, let alone that she’s amazingly pleased to see him. While Jacob’s always happy to see Aaron, he’s more interested in eating just at this moment. Casting off his fear, Aaron takes his place on the floor and hungrily digs into the first proper meal he’s had since the engagement party.
