Grief

The novel begins just a few weeks after the death of Bailey or the main character's sister. This death is the first Lennon has to experience in someone close to her. Lennon lost her mother as a child, but believes her to be still alive and expected to return, therefore she has never really grieved for her. However, Bailey's death impacts Lennon greatly not only because it is her first experience with death, but because she and Bailey were uncommonly close due to the abandonment of their mother and simply their compatible personalities. Bailey was the star, the racehorse, while Lennon had always been content to be the companion pony, the one in the background.

Lennon leaves her sister's belongings in their shared bedroom as Bailey left them as though if she does not touch them Bailey will return. This daily reminder of Bailey's absence allows Lennon to...