Summary

The chapter begins with Tina’s death from complications that arose during her surgery. The family returns to Lottie’s and discusses Tina’s life. Lottie remembers Tina as a “spark plug” (Ch. 14, 12). At this point, Lottie switches from Starbucks to Black Pearl coffee because life has become serious. Lottie and Yoli pack up and prepare to accompany Frank and Sheila back to Vancouver for the funeral. They check with the hospital and are assured that Elf is not going anywhere until proper follow-up care can be arranged. Yoli feels like she’s bursting at the unexpected loss of Aunt Tina. While travelling, she tells Lottie that she plans to take Elf to Toronto once Elf is out of the hospital. She now hopes that Elf will find happiness helping watch over Nora.

Once in Vancouver, Tina has a Mennonite church funeral. At the...