Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence, racism, child death, and pregnancy loss.

It is the year 1803. Kandia holds on to memories of her home in Africa and decides to name her son Mansa. The man who claims he purchased her calls the boy Moses. Kandia decides that “she [will] not allow [herself and her son] to be stolen from themselves” (62).

Back in 2019, Avery tries to remain upbeat about this disruption of her dream vacation. Before bed, she looks at properties for sale in the area. She likes to imagine being in a place “where she is so unknown to those around her that no one has any expectations of her. Where no one would think she is being any more or less herself when she is simply being Avery” (65). In those new places, she can imagine having a different life.

For the first time, Ebby’s brother appears in the recurring nightmare that she has of the attack. Henry, awake next door, recalls that his mother was always cool to Ebby, and that he felt that he was always walking on eggshells, never knowing what might trigger Ebby. He wonders, “How much of yourself do you have to renounce in order to have the life you think you want?” (68).