"Counting by 7's

The main idea in these chapters is the grief Willow experiences after the death of her adoptive parents. Sloan, the novel's author, takes us through each of the stages of grief, as we see Willow cope with the shock of loss.... even though her normal coping skills are lost to her..... one of which is counting by sevens.

The later half of these chapters deals with another type of loss..... the loss of family. The idea of beign given up at birth, only to then lose the parents you've been given...... the fear that there will not be another. Willow's fear causes her to give up..... she doesn't want to go back to school or deal with the Department of Children's services. Her response to the social worker is written. Willow is unable (refuses) to verbalize her feelings and desires.