Chapters 12 and 13 Summary

Chapter 12: Old, cranky Aunt Elna is rumored to be about to be taken to a nursing home. A true "black sheep" of the family, the Aunts share hushed rumors about the woman, including the rumor that Elna had a part in killing her would-be husband back in the Old Country. Now Elna, while still mean, has lost her edge and her hearing and is over 70 years old.

Everyone is shocked at the thought of a nursing home. Hadn't Elna saved enough to avoid such a fate? Apparently Elna spent all her money on doctors trying to cure her deafness, to no avail.

Mama, valuing family so, wants Elna to stay with them, but Elna refuses, believing she would be an unwanted guest. Undaunted, Mama gets Elna together with perhaps her bitterest enemy, Aunt Jenny. Naturally both are totally opposed to Elna...