Summary

In Chapter 17, the police ask Willow about her next of kin. The only living relative is her father’s mother. She has dementia. Many of her parents’ other relatives have died of health issues. Willow thinks that considering kinfolk health histories is the only time she’s been comforted that she was adopted. She cannot breathe and has trouble concentrating.

She sits on the front steps and cries. She believes she will never be herself again. Mai sits next to her making a cooing noise. Mai is crying as well. As she listens to the police making phone calls, trying to find out what they should do, Willow realizes she can’t even count by sevens. Willow finally has to go to the bathroom bad enough that she gives Mai her key to open the house. She expects her parents to be there...