Summary

The family goes to the riverside to watch a fireworks display. They find a stray cat, which the children quickly decide to take home. When Gil attempts to stop the children from rescuing the cat, Riel “shove[s] him with all her strength” (209). That night, she feels that she “had taken away his power” (211); this brings her a sense of isolation and great responsibility.

The next day, Gil insults Florian and Irene tells him to “get out of this house” (212). Gil eventually pleads with her and prostrates himself at her knees. Riel, having witnessed the scene, begs her mother not to divorce Gil.

Several days later, Irene brings the children to May’s house and then drives home to deliver divorce papers to Gil. He refuses the papers and tells her that “you will not go” (221) before violently raping her. Gil later brings...