Darius the Great Is Not Okay

A few days later, Darius walks into the kitchen and finds Mamou busy making chelo kabob—an all-day enterprise his family normally reserves for special occasions. Darius largely stays out of the way as his parents help Mamou, though he does join Babou in setting tables up outside. Babou then instructs Darius to go tell Sohrab’s mother to bring more sabzi (a mix of fresh herbs) when she and Sohrab come to dinner. He does, and finds Sohrab in the backyard practicing soccer: “I had underestimated Sohrab’s dedication to soccer/non-American football” (258). Although surprised, Darius accepts Sohrab’s invitation to play for a while.

Later that evening, as everyone is gathered in the backyard eating, Darius goes to the kitchen to get seconds for himself and Sohrab. His father is also there, “fielding advice and criticism about kabob preparation from all the Bahrami men” (261). Darius momentarily feels a sense of solidarity with him, but it evaporates when Stephen shares his own tricks for making kabob, and the other men express approval.

Darius watches as his father, grandfather, and uncles begin a game of Rook, wondering how his father fits in so well. Sohrab eventually finds Darius and persuades him to sit down with Soheil’s sons, Parviz and Navid.