Incidents Around the House

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of substance use.

The novel is narrated in first-person present tense by a young girl named Bela. Bela says good night to her parents, Russ and Ursula, whom she calls Daddo and Mommy, and they tuck her into bed. She excitedly greets an undescribed entity named Other Mommy who comes out of her closet.

At breakfast, Bela’s mother rushes her through eating, telling her that she will be late for work. She tells Bela she loves her, then scolds Bela for not responding. Bela asks her where the recycling bin goes when they empty it, worrying about a recurring conversation she has been having with Other Mommy. Other Mommy repeatedly asks Bela “Can I go into your heart?” and refers to reincarnation, which Bela misunderstands as the flowers “carnations.”

Bela’s mother leaves, telling her to be good for her father, who works from home and watches Bela during the summer. Bela reluctantly goes upstairs to her room, knowing that Other Mommy will ask her the question and dreading having to say no to her.