Summary

When they entered the room, Lynn noticed how small Alan's mother, Naomi, was. She was sitting, working with clay. Her face "was badly scarred" (411). Beatrice explained that Naomi's parents had spent all of their money paying for Naomi's treatments. Originally, Naomi was in a "state-approved" center (411). The conditions were poor, and the patients were treated inhumanely. Beatrice had found and delivered Naomi. She went on to explain more about Dilg's inception and establishment.

Alan was not listening. He reached out towards Naomi. Beatrice offered to get Naomi's attention for him. Lynn watched the interaction, fearing what Naomi's hands were capable of. She thought of her father's hands (412). Beatrice explained that Alan was her son. She touched his face. Lynn doubted she would remember him. Her disease had overtaken her when Alan was three. When Naomi reached for Alan's eyes, Beatrice told her to...