“Of course,” bin Nard said, standing as well. “If I can be of any help you you in this time of sadness, please don’t hesitate to call on me. I’ll have special services scheduled for your husband and the others who died on the journey; I’ll send a messenger around to let you know the time.”
After one more round of condolences bin Nard departed, leaving Alhena standing quietly in the qa’a. Her eyes scanned the room, and everywhere they rested was some sign or remembrance of Umar. There on one shelf stood the enameled glass bottle—white with blue, brown, and green designs of horsemen and birds around the base and the thin neck, and blue arabesques on the sides. He’d bought her that bottle thirty years ago, after the birth of their first son. There on another shelf were the maroon glazed dish
