Summary

Chapter 16 is written from the multiple third person perspectives of Ellie, Julia and Alice.

Ellie greets Julia when she gets home and encourages her to do what she has to do to make a breakthrough with Alice. She tells Julia that their father thought that she was brilliant. The news surprises Julia and Ellie is surprised to hear that their mother felt as if their father smothered her. After receiving more encouragement from Ellie, Julia gets an idea and gives Ellie instructions as to what to do.

Armed with the idea to take a radical approach, Julia goes into Alice's room. After reading her notes and writing some more, she leads a hesitant Alice out of the room. Ellie's dogs are there and they bond with Alice. Then Julia leads Alice outside. Ellie is there and the site of Alice outside attracting birds...