Summary

Writing in the first-person, Danticat opens her book of essays with an anecdote about her mother. One Christmas, Danticat’s mother insisted on giving Danticat’s book to her factory forewoman, Mary. Danticat thought her mother wanted to give this gift to say, “Beyond the walls of this factory, I have a much bigger life” (4). Danticat then remembers that when her mother was diagnosed with cancer, she insisted on giving every doctor one of Danticat’s books.

Danticat continues to muse on her mother’s battle against cancer, remembering when her mother refused to continue chemotherapy. The Doctor (Dr. Blyden) showed “support for [Danticat’s] mother’s choice, and…[her] mother seemed grateful” (6). As Danticat and her mother left the appointment, Dr. Blyden told the nurse that Danticat’s mother was “a special woman,” for “she raised an author” (6).

Danticat then begins...