Aunt Zohra tells Doria and Yasmina that Youssef will be released in May. Aunt Zohra describes how Youssef has become a Muslin extremist in prison. Doria remembers him as easygoing and open-minded, once trying bacon-flavored potato chips just to see what they were like.

On a more positive note, Doria sees her mother’s former coworker, Fatouma Konaré, on the TV news. She has succeeded in unionizing the motel and forcing M. Winner to meet the workers’ demands. Doria reflects on other ways that life has changed for the better, including Hamoudi and Lila’s upcoming wedding on the list, as well as the changes she’s seen in Yasmina. Doria is also happier with her hairdressing course, at least for the moment.

Mme. Burlaud tells Doria that she no longer needs therapy. Doria compares the feeling to learning to ride a bike without training wheels. She recalls how, when she was still learning, Youssef lent her his bike, promising to hold on as she pedaled. Dora didn’t realize she was riding on her own until she heard him yelling that he had already let go.