In the early days of running the motel, a woman holding a sick baby knocked on the motel office door during a rainstorm. She explained that her wallet was stolen with her ID and credit cards inside. All she had was 11 dollars, but Misbah had compassion on her and gave her the nicest room—one she had recently renovated. When Misbah went to clean the room in the morning, she found that it had been stripped bare—everything was stolen. The woman left only a note saying, “I’m sorry he made me do it” (189).

At school, Jamie brags about getting into UCLA even though she’s planning to attend Princeton. Noor wonders why she still hasn’t heard from UCLA and assumes it must be because she didn’t get in. When Noor’s backpack spills open, Jamie notices that her green card is expired and announces to the teacher and class that Noor is “illegal” (191). Noor explains that her uncle has her current green card, but Jamie doesn’t believe her. Noor thinks about all the racism and bullying she’s endured since coming to the US, and Jamie continues to argue with her, accusing Noor of letting Salahudin write her admissions essays for her.