Part 2, Chapter 17 Summary

After Michael has read the diary, he thinks back to a day when Ouma Angel, Silas's mother, was with him. A man came to the door and spoke to her in a language of authority. Michael had felt her fear and when he looked up, he saw the man's white-flecked blue eyes. He realizes now that it was Du Boise. Later that same day, he had heard Silas and Lydia talking with Ouma Angel about it. Shortly afterwards, Ouma had started shrinking, growing frailer, and having breathing problems. She died the month before Nelson Mandela was released from prison.

Michael decides to trace their old sojourns to the township. He hates dwelling on the past, but he feels compelled to do so. Mikey doesn't plan, but takes a taxi into the city center. The journey is unremarkable and soon he leaves...