“To make a thing as simple as an apple pie, you have to create the whole wide world.” 

The novel opens with Carl Sagan’s comparison of the creation of the universe with making an apple pie from scratch. His words suggest that to make anything, one has to start from nothing. While an apple pie (much like the universe) appears simple in its complete form, making it from scratch is a complicated and long process involving multiple steps. To make a successful apple pie or a beautiful world, it takes time.

“To her I’m just another anonymous face, another applicant, another someone who wants something from America.” 

At the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services building, Natasha pleads with the receptionist to let her see her immigration lawyer, as Natasha is only five minutes late to her appointment. The receptionist refuses to make an exception for Natasha, much to her frustration. Natasha believes that the receptionist has been desensitized from seeing so many undocumented people going through the building. To the receptionist, Natasha’s desperation and struggle mean little to nothing.

“For most immigrants, moving to a new country is an act of faith. Even if you’ve heard stories of safety, opportunity, and prosperity, it’s still a leap to remove yourself from your own language, people, and country. Your own history. What if the stories weren’t true? What if you couldn’t adapt? What if you weren’t wanted in the new country?” 

This chapter tells the story of Daniel’s parents’ immigration from South Korea. To immigrate to a new country like the U.S. requires faith in the idea that the stories one hears about its opportunities are true. An immigrant is worried for their safety, fearful of their possible inability to adapt to new surroundings, and wary of the new country’s prejudices towards people who look like them.