Behold the Dreamers

In mid-September, Lehman Brothers collapses. One Monday in September, Cindy gives Jende the day off because Clark is going to be too busy at work that day to need a driver. Jende chooses to stay at home and help Neni clean the house now that her pregnancy is more advanced. He also informs Neni that she will need to stop working and take the least number of classes necessary to maintain her visa. Even worse, from Neni ‘s perspective, is that he tells her that he expects her to take two semesters off in order to care for their new child. His high-handedness infuriates Neni, but Jende tells her Bubakar believes she could get a medical exemption to avoid losing her student visa. Powerless to do anything because of her dependence on Jende, Neni eventually resigns herself to Jende's decisions.

Harder to deal with is Jende’s constant nagging to get Neni to follow the pregnancy tips that he reads about in Cindy’s magazines. Betty chides Neni, pointing out that Neni ‘s first two pregnancies back in her father's house were difficult ones and that Jende is only looking out for her well-being. Neni, “[e]ventually, shamefully,” decides “to defer to his wisdom, knowing that few women[.