Summary

Commencement – The book’s final chapter begins with a description of Christina’s graduation from the private high school she had been attending, one designed for people with different ways of learning or unusual life demands and schedules. The ceremony, the author writes, was attended by all of Christina’s family and friends, including Gloria (Christina’s mother): afterwards, Christina left with the author and Robin. “We were the parents who took a child out after a graduation; Gloria would do no more than attend the ceremony” (274). During restaurant conversation after the ceremony, Christina revealed how complicated and full her feelings were, while conversation about what she would do with a large cash windfall led to discussion about finally getting surgery to fully transition. The author describes her own complicated feelings: on the one hand, the surgery would make Christina’s life...