11. "I know, as one does at twelve or eleven or ten, that I have witnessed something I shouldn't have witnessed, seen something I shouldn't have seen" (page 198). What has Nicky witnessed in this passage and how does what she has seen affect her?

She's witnessed an adult grieve in an angry way, which she hasn't seen, really. Her father never really showed his anger at losing his wife and daughter. He never let her really see how upsetting it was, in any way. I think it scares her to see an adult look so out of control.

12. Discuss the relationship between Nicky and Charlotte. How does each influence the other?

Nicky learns a lot from Charlotte, and, gets a woman's perspective on things, which she's really been lacking. Charlotte I think learns trust, because these people let her stay in their home, even though she's a complete stranger.

13. Do you think Charlotte's behavior with respect to her newborn child is justified? Do you think she takes appropriate responsibility for her actions in the end?

I think her behavior as far as the actual birth and the child being taken from her was justifiable, because she was doped up. She was totally out of it, and, I think that's about how most people would act. As for the lead-up to it, I don't think it was justifiable at all. I think she should have handled it differently from the beginning. She should never have let it get to the point of birthing the child without a doctor present.

14. Although the novel's action takes place when Nicky is twelve years old, she is thirty when she recounts it. Why do you think the author has chosen to have a grown-up Nicky tell the story?


Not sure, maybe because it's easier for her to talk about it...she's able to see it for what it was, a learning experience...she's more insightful as a 30-year-old woman.