Swallowing Stones

Jenna

For several days after Charlie Ward’s death, Jenna cries in her sleep and has a recurring dream in which she’s being dragged by vines toward the Ghost Tree—a pale white sycamore in town.

Many people have visited the house, bringing food, offering condolences, and asking questions. Rather than face them, Jenna has cleaned and organized her entire bedroom. When everything is perfectly organized, she works on math problems to occupy her brain. Jenna is passionate about math and finds comfort in it being black and white.  

At her father’s funeral, Jenna struggles to know how she should feel. Both Jenna and her mother are quiet while the funeral guests buzz around them. In the weeks after the funeral, Jenna remains reclusive. When she sits by the backyard pool in the evenings, she expects her father will come home from work. Jenna’s best friend, Andrea, visits. She begs Jenna to try to enjoy the summer by coming to the pool or joining her at one of the many parties happening every night. Andrea feels Jenna needs to get out of the house. Jenna doesn’t like the idea of facing people who will feel sorry for her. Andrea means well, so Jenna agrees to join her at the pool the next day.