In the small town of West Mills, where everyone knows everyone else on their side of the canal, it can be hard to keep a secret. Yet various characters throughout the novel work hard to keep certain information hidden from others, including both minor details and potentially life-changing revelations. Noni lies to Otis Lee about Essie, just as Knot tries to prevent Fran and Eunice from discovering that she is their mother. Others, like Pep and Valley, also occasionally keep secrets but feel that it is best not to keep them for too long. Pep sees that Otis Lee is liberated as he learns more about Essie, and Knot enjoys a more intimate relationship with her daughters after they find out that she is their mother, even before she knows that they know.

Knot is also hurt, however, by her family’s discovery that she gave birth, as they proceed to shun her. Attempts to conceal information continue through the end of the novel, as Otis Lee hides his trip to New York from Pep, decides not to tell Pratt that Fran is his daughter, and tries to hide Valley’s critical condition from Knot. Knot, by contrast, unburdens herself by sharing her last few secrets with Pratt and Pep.