Summary

In “The End,” Eileen gave birth to a daughter. Her husband left for work shortly thereafter. Although his duty “to provide for and protect” them was heavy, he wore it lightly (1). He picked up his father. They congratulated each other. They were laughing when a truck hit and killed them both.

In “Blossoms,” Saoirse’s first memory was when she was four or five. She was standing with her mother and grandmother. A man took their photo. She could not remember his face. Eileen said the memory was false. Saoirse was sure it was real.

In “Freedom,” the name Saoirse had finally “revealed itself” to Eileen (5). Eileen and her mother-in-law Mary, or Nana, liked that the name meant freedom. Whenever Nana and Eileen shared moments of grief over their late husbands, Saoirse felt excluded.

In “Fathers,” Saoirse watched the neighborhood fathers returning...