Summary

In "Nina, Age 14," on Nina's fourteenth birthday, she decided to determine the depth of Grandma’s well. On the way to Grandma's, she watched videos on her phone and reread "her mother's most recent communication" (86). She read their conversations about the incoming hurricane and her dad's concern about Grandma.

When they arrived, Nina felt comforted. Then she noticed "a tin camper" parked near the neighboring land (89).

After lunch and presents, Nina went out to the well. She hoped measuring the well would not contaminate the water for visiting fish people (91). While she was working, the neighbor appeared. He introduced himself as Paul and asked questions about the land. Nina was offended when he called "Grandma's land 'messy'" (93). Though he eventually left, Paul unnerved Nina (93). Then a "high-pitched cry erupted from behind the bush" (95). There Nina found a badly wounded...