Summary

The novel opens with two sections titled Interstitial. The first is a letter that opens with “Dear Penny” and ends with “Mika.” Mika describes the day of Penny's birth. Mika instinctively reached out, briefly forgetting “you were not mine to keep” (1). Mika's best friend Hana was with her the entire time. She held Penny, then held Mika as she cried and helped her wash. Mrs. Pearson was the adoption agent who arrived with the papers for Mika to sign. Hana asked Mika to be sure. Mika read about the new birth certificate to be issued in the names of the adoptive parents. Mika signed. She held Penny once more, handed her over, and did not watch as Penny was carried away. Mika thought about the first moment she saw Penny on an ultrasound and a future of missing her. Mika ends the letter...