The 23 pictures display scenes of a party taken at Christmastime. A tall, thin man with a gold watch wears a Santa Suit, and a woman with eyes just like Heidi’s wears a reindeer Christmas sweater. Bernie suggests that the woman might be Heidi’s grandmother. Bernie and Heidi see Mama in the photos, pregnant with Heidi. A man with dark eyes and a slumped posture stands near the Santa in one picture. Heidi also sees a sign for “Hilltop Home—Liberty, New York” and Bernie speculates that it is or was a hospital or home for challenged adults. Heidi is eager to show Mama the pictures: “While Mama napped, I let myself float suspended like a lily pad in my private little pool of hope” (57).

When Heidi finally shows Mama the pictures, she says “Soof” when she sees the one of herself with the Christmas sweater woman. Heidi tries hard to determine which person Soof is, but she loses control and patience when Mama cannot answer and instead offers tea repeatedly. Heidi tears the photo in half and cries in her room. Soon, Bernie and Mama knock on the door. Mama brings tea and Heidi does her best to smile and accept it.