Part 3: The Big House - Mother Summary

An unspecified number of years have passed, and Alice is no longer living with Nonna or Uncle Billy. Alice has returned to the "Big House" for Nonna's funeral. Mother is not at the funeral because Uncle Billy neglected to inform her of Nonna's death in a timely fashion. By the time Mother found out, it was too late for her to make a trip to the "Big House" from California where she lives. Alice has inherited some money and some jewelry. Alice uses the money to buy an apartment in Manhattan on West 76th Street.

Alice reports what Nonna has to say about Mother. It is unclear whether this is actually what Nonna has to say or whether this is merely what Alice imagines that Nonna has to say. We discover that Nonna...