Chapter 2 Summary

Amabelle is sewing a shirt for Sebastien when she hears the screams of Senora Valencia. Amabelle runs through the house to the Senora's bedroom to find her in labor. Don Ignacio, Valencia's father, affectionately referred to as "Papi," rushes to fetch the doctor and Amabelle is left alone to assist the Senora with the birth. Being alone in the bedroom with the Senora reminds Amabelle of their girlhood together when they would share the bed of Valencia even though Amabelle had a small cot of her own in the corner. The two would play with their shadows, pretending to be four happy girls together.

Amabelle comforts the anxious Senora, who asks for her husband and fears dying. She remembers her parents preparing herbal concoctions to take to the births they attended. Amabelle would like to go find some rum to offer for the...