Refugee Chapter 21 & 22 Summary

Chapter Twenty-One

• Ahmed heard a knock and found a note slid under the cellar door, signed by Max, telling him not to go out.
• Ahmed heard the doorbell, an unfamiliar man's voice, and footsteps upstairs, which frightened Max.
• Ahmed stayed in the cellar, looking at new books.
• Max arrived at midnight with the usual tote bag of food, books, and supplies.
• Max informed Ahmed that a cop had stopped by.
• Ahmed didn't know what "freak out" meant but felt uneasy.
• Max wasn't sure if the police knew Ahmed was there, which didn't reassure Ahmed.

Chapter Twenty-Two

• On Saturday morning, a week after the Paris attacks, Max saw his parents watching news of armored vehicles and soldiers in the city.
• It was revealed that the city was in lockdown because police believed one of the Paris terrorists was there.
• Max's parents said they were supposed to stay out of stores, the metro was closed, and all public events were canceled because there was a possibility of hostages being taken.
• Claire said people were tweeting cat pictures.
• Cat pictures were the Belgian way of showing they're not afraid and to keep police operations secret.
• Max felt more worried about Ahmed than anything else.

Subsequent Lockdown Days

• Max’s mother mentioned the garden being the last on her mind right now.
• The lockdown continued.
• Max longed to leave the house, even to go to the School of Misery; Claire felt suffocated by niceness.
• He thought about how long Ahmed had been stuck inside.
• Max’s father announced he needed to get out of the house, and Max begged to go with him.
• Max’s mother fussed, because the authorities were still saying to stay out of public places, but they were low on groceries.
• Max’s father struggled to pick between the Belgian beers Black Hole, Delirium, and Crazy Steam.
• Max noticed a commotion outside the store; a young Arab-looking man was being patted down by a police officer.
• Inspector Fontaine was recognized by Max and barking commands in French.
• Max asked his dad what was going on; his dad thought they are searching for a suspect.
• To change the subject, Max showed Ahmed photos of lockdown cats dressed in army fatigues or photoshopped over Brussels with stormtroopers.
• Ahmed thought the mask looked like a terrorist mask.
• Max revealed a scratch and joked Ahmed could write "Belgium honor your bravery."
• Scouts and school were canceled.
• Max may have enjoyed the break, but he had no homework.
• Crime activity was occurring near Max's residence.
• Max was afraid Inspector Fontaine would storm his house.
• Max's mother had just given the gardener's name and number.
• Max’s mom asked Max why he didn’t join the group.
• Max’s mom was trying to get rid of him so that the adults could talk; he thought one of the neighbors might know about the wine cellar.
• Florian thought the overreacted, created panic.
• Max listened intently to the discussion about the length of the lockdown
• Ahmed has to stay in the wine cellar, but Max hoped it would be over soon.
• Inès asked Max what he thought.
• Max visited Ahmed after midnight/ when his parents were asleep to tell Ahmed what was occurring.
• They mostly was looking for a terrorist in Molenbeek.
• Max calmed himself as well as Ahmed, who seemed accustomed to receiving bad news - police officer, does he came by again?
• Max figured the adults didn't know what they are talking.
• Max's father wanted to buy beer and salsa to show he wasn't afraid.
• Max's mom didn't like this idea.
• Max slipped another message beneath the orchid’s door: don’t go anywhere.
• Max remembered the cat pictures and wanted to take pictures of his cat Teddy in a batman mask.
• Max's parents had friends over for pasta and discussed the lockdown.
• The authorities were neglecting Muslim crime and extremism.
• Max considered whether or not Ahmed was a criminal who may not be considered innocent since he emerged through the cellar door during the lockdown
• Max sat with Ahmed on a camping mat.
• Max said that Ahmed needs a residency permit .
• Ahmed said that Max needed to be careful, because the man hired for Ahmed parents home knows the garden very well.
• If the cops really suspected, they would have checked by now
• Max tried to calm Ahmed: it's raining anyway - maybe just wait out Boy Heroes.
• A manhunt was launched that includes Belgium so needed to wait a few days and stay inside
• blankets, books, and food were provided by Max because.
• The orchids were looking better-a leaf had even grown.
• The days are growing shorter.
• Max asked to bring lamp for the orchids
• Ahmed: no, you'll need a special flower grow lamp like the sun
• Max: what am I, your personal shopper? Your highness
• Ahmed: grandfather was a flower store owner.
• Max: are they alive?
• Ahmed - Had.
• Max didn't urge Ahmed to continue.

Chapters 21 and 22 of "Refugee" detail the increasing danger and anxiety surrounding Ahmed's situation. Max warns Ahmed about police presence, and news of the Paris attacks and subsequent lockdown heightens fears.