Out Of Nowhere

Tom’s girlfriend, Cherisse, visits him at his house to watch Survivor. Tom’s Aunt Maddie joins them, which leads to an awkward viewing experience. Tom feels an increasing sense of emotional distance from Cherisse, acknowledging that his attraction to her is only physical.

Aunt Maddie takes an interest in Tom’s volunteer work at the K Street Center; this leads to a conversation about cultural differences, specifically about the Somali community’s religious aversion to dogs. Cherisse mocks this belief, prompting Aunt Maddie to point out the inconsistencies in Cherisse’s Catholic faith. The situation escalates when Cherisse, offended, calls Aunt Maddie a “bitch” to Tom. This incident makes Tom realize he must end his relationship with Cherisse.

Saeed shares with Tom that as a refugee, he does not know his actual birthday. He explains that many people in refugee camps, including himself, have their birthdays officially recorded as January 1.

Tom visits the K Street Center and encounters Samira, who updates him on her new role as the manager of the girls’ varsity soccer team. Their conversation shifts to the alphabet book project intended to help Abdi, which both Tom and Samira are involved in.