The Break

Rain talks to Stella about how the afterlife feels like a dream, but she also reassures her that she has been there for her throughout her entire life. She watches as Stella lies with Kookom, and she hears Stella call out for her. She tells Stella that she is strong and will get through all the tough times she faces. Rain tells her that “you are never really all alone” in hopes that she can still provide her comfort in the afterlife (244).

Cheryl goes to Rita’s apartment and tells her that Stella has come to stay with Kookom. Cheryl thinks about how much Stella looks like Rain, and she misses her sister. She thinks about how Rain continued to get deeper into her drug addiction. Thinking about the past, Cheryl reminisces about the times that she had with her ex-husband, Joe, but how she did not want to live in the bush with him. She preferred to live in the city, and she used Lou’s hardships with Gabe as an excuse to leave Joe. She focuses on how she and Joe lived separate lives despite loving each other deeply. Cheryl, though, resents Joe for claiming that she needs someone to take care of her because he does not believe she can take care of herself.