Hamoudi opens up to Doria about his relationship with Lila. Doria’s plans for a serious, adult discussion fall by the wayside when she sees how in love Hamoudi is. Lila, she reflects has taken the place of poetry in his life. Doria also prepares herself to see Nabil again, only to have him ignore her. He’s returned from vacation with a tan, an earring, and the beginnings of a beard. Doria fears that Nabil has outgrown her. She compares the situation to that of Olivia Newton John and John Travolta after their summer fling in Grease. She tells her story to Mme. Burlaud, who suggests that Nabil may be gay.

A neighbor describes how Samra’s father found her wedding announcement in the paper and had a stroke, leaving him half-paralyzed. Doria thinks that he’ll be paralyzed on the other side the day he finds his grandchild’s birth announcement. 

Yasmina’s new friend, Jacqueline, the teacher from her literacy class, now comes over regularly to knit with Yasmina. Doria likes Jaqueline, who is eager to learn more about their culture and religion.