Summary

Levy opens this chapter by comparing herself again to a witch whose "conjuring had led only to ruing and death" (156). Ariel has lost her competent, entitled self and has come to the conclusion that she has no control over anything in her life. At first, her baby's father wants to try again but he soon changes his mind and Ariel is left without hope. In a mere month, Ariel has lost her child, her spouse, and the financial security of being supported by her baby's wealthy father. Ariel spends most of her time alone in her bedroom with her grief.

Ariel's mother comes to visit and they order takeout Chinese food. Readers learn that Ariel's mother is a two-time cancer survivor and for the first time Ariel can relate to how she imagines her mother must have felt.

Analysis

Levy reiterates the image of...