When Aziza first spotted Mariam in the morning$$$ her eyes always sprang open$$$ and she began mewling and squirming in her mother's grip. She thrust her arms toward Mariam$$$ demanding to be held$$$ her tiny hands opening and closing urgently$$$ on her face a look of both adoration and quivering anxiety. "What a scene you're making$$$" Laila would say$$$ releasing her to crawl toward Mariam. "What a scene! Calm down. Khala Mariam isn't going anywhere. There she is$$$ your aunt. See? Go on$$$ now." As soon as she was in Mariam's arms$$$ Aziza's thumb shot into her mouth and she buried her face in Mariam's neck. Mariam bounced her stiffly$$$ a half-bewildered$$$ half-grateful smile on her lips. Mariam had never before been wanted like this. Love had never been declared to her so guilelessly$$$ so unreservedly.Aziza made Mariam want to weep."Why have you pinned your little heart to an old$$$ ugly hag like me?" Mariam would murmur into Aziza's hair. "Huh? I am nobody$$$ don't you see? A dehati. What have I got to give you?"But Aziza only muttered contentedly and dug her face in deeper. And when she did that$$$ Mariam swooned. Her eyes watered. Her heart took flight. And she marvelled at how$$$ after all these years of rattling loose$$$ she had found in this little creature the first true connection in her life of false$$$ failed connections.