Contents
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Overview
In 1980s Fremont, Baba champions Reagan yet chafes at American life, culminating in a store outburst that exposes his pride. He toils at a gas station, refuses food stamps, and celebrates Amir’s high school graduation with a car gift. Amir chooses writing despite Baba’s doubts. Their flea market venture embeds them in the Afghan diaspora, where Amir meets General Taheri and becomes enamored with Soraya, learning troubling gossip about her past.
Summary
Amir recounts life with Baba in 1980s Fremont. Baba praises America’s strength, idolizes Reagan, and dismisses Carter, but daily life grates on him. His pride erupts at a grocery when asked for ID, frightening the elderly owners, Mr. and Mrs. Nguyen, and forcing Amir to apologize and pay for damages.
Baba labors long hours at a gas station yet rejects food stamps to preserve dignity. In 1983, Amir graduates high school; Baba beams with pride, celebrates at a bar, and gifts Amir a used Ford for college, wistfully wishing Hassan were there. When Amir declares an English/creative writing major, Baba challenges its practicality, but Amir stands firm.
Amir drives the Bay Area, embracing America as a place to drown his Kabul ghosts. In 1984, Baba buys a battered VW bus, and the two run weekend garage-sale and flea market circuits, joining a tight Afghan community bound by tea, politics, and unspoken competition.
At the San Jose flea market, Baba introduces Amir to General Iqbal Taheri, a former Kabul defense official, who lauds Baba’s legacy. Amir glimpses the general’s daughter, Soraya, and is instantly captivated. Later, Baba hints at gossip about Soraya—“a man once and things didn’t go well”—noting how a single day can alter a life. That night, Amir lies awake, enamored with his “Swap Meet Princess.”
Who Appears
- AmirNarrator; graduates high school, chooses creative writing, helps run flea market, becomes infatuated with Soraya.
- BabaProud, political, struggles to adapt; outburst at store; works gas station; rejects food stamps; celebrates Amir and buys him a car.
- General Iqbal TaheriFormer Kabul defense official; dignified flea market figure who praises Baba and introduces his daughter.
- Soraya TaheriGeneral Taheri’s daughter; poised and kind; catches Amir’s eye; rumored troubled past.
- Mr. NguyenElderly grocer who requests Baba’s ID, triggering Baba’s public outburst.
- Mrs. NguyenGrocer with Parkinson’s; shaken by Baba’s outburst; accepts Amir’s apology and offer to pay damages.
- Mrs. DobbinsEligibility officer in San Jose; surprised when Baba returns food stamps and refuses assistance.