Summary

In "May," the doctors discovered that Claudia had a brain tumor. Gabriel "flew back from New York as soon as he heard the news" (134). Claudia was going into surgery. Her "chances of survival" were slim (134). The family discussed the issue.

Gabriel helped sort "out all the matters that no one else in the family had a level head to do" (141). However, the more involved he became, the more frustrated the sisters felt. He seemed convinced Claudia would die. The sisters tried comforting each other. Oscar distracted himself with "conservation news" (148). After surgery, Claudia was in a coma. There was no guarantee she would wake up.

The family split their time between Keila and Oscar's house and the hospital. One day, Patricia and Oscar went on a walk. Oscar told her about the orchard. She promised to keep his secret.

Olivia's attorney told...