Summary

In “At the Waterfall,” the medicine no longer has any effect on Kate. Still, Kate continues to “sit with the others” and help them on their journeys (85). One day, she finds Lalika, a black woman from Mississippi “who regularly broke down on her yage journeys” sitting by a waterfall (85). Kate sits near her, not wanting to pressure her into conversation. Then, Lalika begins crying and asks Kate if the medicine will help her. Kate helps calm Lalika and they sit together, shoulder to shoulder.

The narrative reverts to a previous day, in which Kate realizes the medicine no longer affects her. Instead, she sits and thinks about her ancestors. Armando sits and asks her questions about her people. Kate tells a story about an ancestor who was a slave with good looks and perfect teeth. One day...