Chapters 18, 19 and 20 Summary

Before long, Naomi learns that her Grandmother Nakane has died. It has only been a few weeks since Naomi had seen her paternal grandparents who had arrived by train to also live in Slocan. Grandmother Nakane's illness prohibited their staying so the elderly couple was taken away to another internment camp called New Denver. Naomi learns another lesson in restraint, as she watches her grandparents leave in silence. Aunt Obasan has taught the young Naomi that it is wagamama, or selfish, to think of oneself in spite of the wishes and needs of another and it is not good to burden anyone departing with the weight of a sad goodbye.

Naomi accompanies Aunt Obasan to Grandmother Nakane's wake and funeral and witnesses for the first time the ritual of a funeral pyre. Grandmother Nakane's ashes will be returned to Grandfather Nakane...