Part 2, Pages 205 - 238 Summary

Isabel turns the story to the doctors in the hospital. The scans have shown that Paula has suffered serious, irreversible brain damage. If she were to in any way recover, she would never go beyond the developmental level of an infant. The neurologist could not say if the brain damage was a result of malpractice or the progression of the porphyria. Isabel is devastated. She now knows that Paula will never read this diary. Isabel flashes back to her memories of Paula at various times of her childhood. Isabel makes the decision to take Paula home with her to San Francisco. Isabel states that the first major tragedy that became a turning point for her had been the coup in Chile. She knows that Paula's fatal illness is the second.

Isabel makes arrangements to get Paula to San Francisco...