Chapter 4 Summary

Marie Kashpaw sits in her apartment thinking about Lipsha, the grandson she raised as her own son. She never connected with Lipsha's mother, her daughter June, and she realized that June was impossible to save. In turn, she turned all of her love and caring toward Lipsha. Lipsha's other grandmother, Lulu, believed that Marie spoiled him too much and gave him too many chances. To her, Lipsha was a given a second chance at life for a reason, and she made up her mind that after surviving a near drowning as a baby he needed more than other children.

Marie is expecting a visit from Lipsha, and in the midst of her thoughts, she hears his footsteps at the door. She notes that his appearance is a bit rugged. His hair isn't cleanly cut or shaved, and his style of clothes matches. As...