The Family Upstairs

In mid-June, in 1993, Henry’s sister gives birth to Serenity Love Lamb, “Daughter of Lucy Amanda Lamb (14) and David Sebastian Thomsen (41)” (283). A few days later, the baby is moved to David and Birdie’s room and Lucy, Henry’s sister, is sent back to her children’s room upstairs. Lucy cries frequently, having been separated from her daughter. Henry explains that Lucy “was brought downstairs during the day to pump breast milk into a medieval-looking contraption, which was then poured into medieval-looking milk bottles, and then told to go back to her room” (284). This treatment of Lucy finally causes Lucy and the other children to reconnect and grow closer once again.

Lucy and Henry look at each other. Now, Lucy recognizes Henry as her brother, whom she hasn’t seen since they were teenagers. Lucy accuses Henry of leaving the baby behind. Henry replies that it was Lucy who left the baby behind—Henry is the one who stayed in England. They are both silent for a moment, then Lucy introduces Henry to her children, Marco and Stella. Henry reveals that he met Serenity and that Serenity has been by the house. Henry tells Lucy that Serenity is grown-up, healthy, and pretty.