Chapter 18 Summary

Cannie is in the hospital. Before regaining consciousness, she has a series of dreams. She dreams of her childhood and of her father, and that she is underwater and swimming. When she finally comes to and realizes she is in the hospital, her first thoughts are for her baby. Anne, Lucy, Tanya, and Bruce are all in her hospital room. When Cannie wakes up, everyone leaves to get the doctor except Bruce, who tries to talk to Cannie.

The doctor comes and tells Cannie that her placenta detached and they had to remove her uterus. She will not be able to have more children. The baby was delivered six weeks early and was deprived of oxygen and no one is sure yet whether or not she will be okay. She is underweight and cannot breathe on her own. Cannie names the baby Joy...