In his quiet and passive way, Sam talks about his future plan now that his basic and advanced training are over. In order for him to become a second lieutenant, he must serve for a couple of years which is not going to be in Texas. There is possibility that he would be transferred to Fort Dix in New Jersey; but for now nothing is clear. When the time comes that he will be stationed permanently, he plans to take some college course to help his advance in military. Regardless what Hana wants, Sam is adamant to do what he thinks is the best for him, to discover his identity, to belong, and to serve the country he has adopted. However he has enough sense to appreciate this woman, his mother, who has worked hard and endured miseries. According to what he has heard, since he was not even born yet, after the death of his grandfather, it was his mother's hard work that kept the family together. He can not understand why his older brother still lives at home and still is mom's little boy; but that thought would not stop him of loving Farhad and remembering all the good and bad times with him and all the mischievous things they have done together.
Hana recalls herself at Sam's age and remembers how much she was like him, except as a girl in a country like Iran, she could not do what she wanted; even though compare to other Iranian girls her age, she accomplished a lot and saved her family after the death of her father; and picked a career that she always wanted, teaching. She admires Sam but that does not stop her of the vehement feeling to hold him tight and have him nap on her lap as he did for so long. She is with him, yet she misses him terribly. All she can do for him is to please him by unreal behavior, to cook him the food he loves and to create a peaceful environment. As she spend most of her time in the kitchen or drives to the grocery store to buy more things that really are not needed, she conjures up movies about military life, whom all soldiers are standing in a line for their share of food which does not look indulging.
"Mom, you fuss too much for food. Why don't you relax for a minute?" Sam does not like to see his mother works that hard.
"You don't get to eat home cooking meal anymore. I've heard the army food is terrible."
"I haven't come home for food, mom. Just take it easy." He means what he says; but when the dinner is over, he always says:
"Thanks mom. That was great." Then when Hana is cleaning the table, he says:
"Can I have some more of the food."
Hana is so pleased. He objects his mom's hard work and cooking, and yet he indulges the food she cooks in a way as though he has not eaten for a long time.
To Be Continued
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