Summary

Chapter 20 begins with Mabel asking Marin for clarification, if Birdie really was her mother. Marin replies in the affirmative, adding, “all of the things that she sent him were things he already owned” (175). Marin says she was upset by her discovery because she “could have known her [her mother]” if Gramps had shared the pictures and Birdie’s other belongings with Marin (175). Mabel squeezes Marin’s hands who thinks that Gramps turned out to be a “stranger” (176). Marin asks Mabel if Gramps is really dead. Mabel does not answer directly, instead telling Marin to look at her. Marin adds: “They said he drowned. But they didn’t find him” (176). Mabel again tells Marin to look at her. Marin takes her hands back from Mabel and stares at them. Mabel responds: “he died…we know he was lost in the ocean” (177). Marin responds: “But...