Zoe stopped one last time in front of the mirror, adjusting her new American dress. She didn’t see the dress, however. She saw what the big Russian did to her. She saw what al-Qaeda did to her. She saw a person shunned by her Persian village. She saw ugliness. Every time she looked in the mirror she saw deficiency.

~ Michael Benzehabe

Michael Benzehabe Al Qaeda American Fashion Benzehabe Deficiency Depression Immigrant Insecurity Iran Outsider Persian Rape Russia Shame Shunned Unassimilated Western Fashion

All the way, Zoe kept her chin up and pretended she wasn’t mortified, but his sour expression stayed with her. She wasn’t good at making American friends. She changed her language, conduct, and clothing, but it didn’t seem to matter. Whether she wore modest Middle-Eastern clothing or cute Western fashions, everyone knew she didn’t belong.

~ Michael Benzehabe

Michael Benzehabe America Benzehabe Immigrant Loner Mortified Outsider Pretend Shame Spy Unassimilated Western Fashion Zoe