A Very Large Expanse of Sea

Shirin and Ocean go through three weeks “relatively drama-free” (215) and enjoying spending time together. Shirin credits the limits she puts on the time they spend together. She ignores any questions or rumors. One day, at her locker, Ocean picks up her diary, and Shirin pulls it away from him so quickly that he laughs. He holds her hand to his chest and Shirin feels a “violent” stare. She sees it is the basketball coach, Coach Hart. Ocean does not notice how Coach Hart shakes his head at Shirin, but Shirin does: “And I felt a sudden, sick feeling settle into my gut” (217).

Shirin’s parents typically welcome any friends of Navid’s for Thanksgiving, so it is not a stretch for them to happily accept Ocean for the day, whom Shirin explains is a friend. Shirin’s parents add several Persian dishes to the traditional feast for Ocean to try, and Shirin’s mother packs him four containers of leftovers to take home. Shirin’s father talks freely with Ocean all day, sharing online videos that recently caught his interest and translating poetry in Farsi. In fact, both Shirin’s parents speak to Ocean at length in Farsi, trying to both interest him in the beauty of the language and get him to begin learning it.