Summary

Section 4 of “Elephants’ Graveyard” is titled “Blue Period.” As time passes, Shay remains in Italy, while her children remain at school in America and Senna remains in Madagascar. Shay finds herself troubled by dreams of the Red House, and in particular of a painting in her bedroom, found in the studio of a local artist. Done in the style of early Picasso, it is painted in tones of blue, and shows what looks like a struggling family. Meanwhile, Shay and her own family gather for Christmas in Europe, rather than in Madagascar. She and Senna are peaceful with each other, the narration referring to their one conversation on the subject of the young Black woman feeling more like a duty than anything else. At one point, Shay does initiate a conversation about the future, and resists Senna’s attempts to charm her...