One day after school, Mariam waits for Alem with another letter from his father. In the letter, Mr. Kelo tells Alem that his mother was killed and her body was left near the border. Because of Mrs. Kelo’s death, Mr. Kelo writes that he will come to England to be with Alem. While Alem reads the letter in his room, Mariam tells the Fitzgeralds about Mrs. Kelo’s death.

When Alem comes downstairs for dinner, Mrs. Fitzgerald hugs him, but he does not react. In the middle of dinner, Alem breaks down sobbing and runs up to his room. After a while, Ruth checks on him. She tells him that she wants him to know that she is like his sister and would do anything for him. Alem is surprised because they have never been close. Ruth explains that they have had nine foster children in their house throughout her life, and some of them have attacked and assaulted her. Despite the pain the foster kids caused her, Ruth’s parents do not seem to care how the situation affects Ruth. However, she knows that Alem is different than the other foster children, and she wants to help him.