Summary

As the story opens, Ruth talks about the “miracle” that happened at the home of the Hallowell family where Ruth's mother worked as a servant. The wealthy family had a daughter, Christina, who was a little older than Ruth and a little younger than Ruth's sister, Rachel. Rachel later changed her name to Adisa. (For the sake of clarity, she is referred to as Adisa in this guide except in direct quotes.) One day, a snowstorm hit the city. Ruth and Adisa went with their mother to the Hallowell home, as they sometimes did. Mina Hallowell went into labor unexpectedly, and Ruth's mother delivered the little boy before the ambulance arrived. Ruth, Christina, and Adisa witnessed the birth. The event impacted each girl differently. Christina chose to have her only child through a surrogate. Adisa had five children of her...