Summary

In Part 5, “Black Hole (Death),” the city does not stop after Toni dies. Adina faxes about death, but receives no response. At Toni’s funeral reception, Toni’s family asks Adina about her memoir and Toni’s coworkers ask if she is really an alien (277). Then Dominic gives Adina a small box from Toni, telling her to open it later as Toni feared it would upset her. Adina notices that Toni’s mother looks healthier than she looked throughout Toni’s childhood. Upset, Adina leaves and drives to Beautyland. The store has been renovated and looks different. She buys Térèse the stockings she used to buy and gives them to her back at the reception.

Back in New York, Adina says hello to Butternut, who is still in the freezer. Inside Toni’s box, she finds a smartphone with just...