Father kissed Ali and Maryam, went to the bathroom to wash the dust off his feet, face and hands, then stretched out on a toshak for a rest.
Parvana knew she had to fetch the water becausethere was nobody else in the family who could do it.Sometimes this made her resentful.
All of thefurniture she remembered from their other houseshad been destroyed by bombs or stolen by looters. Allthey had now was a tall wooden cupboard, which hadbeen in the room when they rented it.
At the end of the room was the lavatory. It was a verysmall room with a platform toilet—not the modernWestern toilet they used to have! The little propanecookstove was kept in there because a tiny vent, highin the wall, kept fresh air coming into the room.
The family ate Afghan-style, sitting around a plasticcloth spread out on the floor. Food cheered everyoneup, and the family lingered after the meal was over.
Seeing her mother on the ground finally propelledParvana into action. When the soldiers dragged herfather outside, she flung her arms around his waist.