Family

Both Elsie and Jack have complex family histories. First, Elsie always felt like a burden to her parents because of her diabetes: “Mom and Dad were tired, overwhelmed. A little poor. They’d hoped for a break, something easy for once, and I was truly sorry I wasn’t it. To make it up to them, I’ve tried to make my health issues—and any other subsequent issues—as ignorable as possible. I find that people like me better if they don’t have to expend emotional energy on me” (19). Elsie internalized her parents’ worries at a young age, which made her strive to be as unobtrusive as possible. The result of this is that Elsie faces her emotional, financial, and health-related concerns alone, making her severely stressed.

Second, Jack’s bond with Millicent inspires Elsie to be more transparent with her own family. She...