The Narrative Quotes

“Doctor say my chico have, eh, he have, I think, Síndrome de Maher…?” “Maher’s Syndrome? Oh no, that’s awful,” said Majedah. Maher’s Syndrome meant a lifetime of special needs: intense unlikeability, intractable bitterness, close-set beady eyes beneath an oversized forehead, and at best, laboring at menial work such as janitorial duties or hosting obscure talk shows on cable TV.”
― Deplora Boule, The Narrative

“She looked up at her professor with glistening eyes, desperate to explain herself. “I’m sorry, Dr. Nguyễn. I guess I’ve always loved pretending that I’m creating reality when I write. I wish—” and her voice trailed off. “You wish what, Majedah?” “I wish that I actually could create reality by making it up.” Dr. Nguyễn’s face broke into a smile. “Well, why didn’t you just say so? You don’t want to be a novelist; you want to be a journalist!”
― Deplora Boule, The Narrative

“he told me he was Lebanese. That much was true, and then he let me assume the rest.” She smiled distantly. “I couldn’t wait for all the ignorant racist rednecks I had gone to high school with to learn that I had married a Muslim.” She pronounced the word Muslim with a self-conscious Middle Eastern affect: MOOS-lim. Julia paused to refill her glass with local pinot. She took a swig and continued. “When it was time for the ceremony, Ziyad told me he was Maronite and I agreed to be married in accordance with his ethnic tradition. Naturally, we traveled to Lebanon for the ceremony. Unfortunately, Arabic is one of the few languages I don’t understand, so I had no idea I was actually in a Catholic church.” Both women shuddered.”
― Deplora Boule, The Narrative

“Majedah figured the best way to do this was just to say it. She lifted her adorably pointy chin, tossed her gleaming black hair over her shoulder, and looked her former boyfriend in the eye. “Kevin, just so you know, last fall I had to exercise my Constitutional right to women’s health care.” “Huh, okay. So … that’s good, right? I mean, it’s smart to get regular checkups and stay healthy.” She shook her head in frustration. “No, that’s not what I’m saying. Last fall, I exercised my choice to procure women’s health care.” “Right. … You should go to the doctor when you need to. Even women. Especially women. You should absolutely have access to health care and avail yourself of it whenever you—” “Dammit, Kevin, I had an abortion, okay?”
― Deplora Boule, The Narrative