Summary

Michigan, p. 221 – 246. Again, the writing in this section of the book is more fragmented than elsewhere in the narrative: short glimpses of moments or situations as opposed to lengthy descriptions continue. The structure of this section of summary again reflects this fragmentation.

Cat describes how that same night, a pair of well-meaning, compassionate social workers came to the house in the aftermath of the arrest of Cat’s father. They took Sal into custody, Cat writing how in that moment she became aware that Sal “expected to be left." They left Marlena (who they knew and understood to be heavily drugged) to stay with Cat and her mom, believing that to be something she did often.

Cat then describes how grateful she was to her mother for being so quiet and sensitive to her and Marlena’s situation, saying how glad she...