38 pages • 1 hour read
In the past, as Laronne packs the contents of Nella’s apartment, she finds Nella’s 29 journals, which reveal Nella’s fears and commitment to sobriety. As Laronne leaves the apartment, she sees a boy sitting on the stairs playing a harmonica—Brick. He tells Laronne that he was not friends with Nella’s children. Laronne asks Brick if he saw a man on the rooftop the day Nella and her children jumped off the roof. He is non-committal, so Laronne offers him home cooking and her address in case he wants to share anything he knows.
Later, at the hospital, Laronne claims to be Rachel’s aunt and visits her. The nurses tell her that Rachel’s father yelled at a nurse while drunk, was told to leave, and never returned. The nurses tell Laronne that Rachel’s grandmother is coming from Portland to look after Rachel from now on. Laronne leaves presents for Rachel and two boxes of Rachel’s belongings.
In the present, in Portland, Rachel and Grandma wait for Drew to arrive for Sunday dinner. Grandma has cooked a delicious meal, and she appears happier. Rachel reflects on how little she knows about her grandmother and how much her grandmother has changed since the death of Plus, gain access to 8,550+ more expert-written Study Guides. Including features: