Orphan Island

One morning when Jinny wakes up, Ess is already gone; she finds her with Jak and Oz, who are teaching her to catch, gut, and clean fish. Jinny requests that the boys ask permission in the future to take Ess places or teach her things. However, Ess is proud of what she has learned and is glad to be able to help. The boys say that Jinny just doesn’t want Ess cleaning fish because it grosses Jinny out; Jinny wants them to wait until she leaves. Jinny then pulls Ess away because she hasn’t yet told her that she’ll be leaving. Jinny tells Ess that she’ll have to leave someday but doesn’t know when. Ess says that Jinny will leave like “Mama.” Jinny clarifies that she’s not Ess’s mother, but Ess already understands this. Jinny tells Ess that she’ll forget her Mama soon enough, which makes Ess cry. She begs Jinny to stay and never leave. Jinny nods her head, leading Ess to think she’s promising to stay. The other kids appear on the beach to play a game, but Jinny is too upset to participate.