Summary

In Book IV, “My Mother,” the same week Sil “asked the Vila to take someone else in [her] mother’s stead,” a musician and a turtle died (221). Shortly thereafter, the rescue team found Sil’s mother. The collapse had locked her in an air pocket, where she had spent over 72 hours treading water.

When Sil’s mother returned home, Sil wanted to tell her everything. However, she withheld her story because she wanted her mother to tell her own story (224). However, she never mentioned the dive.

When Sil’s mother was feeling better, she and Sil took a cake upstairs to thank Mila’s family for caring for her. Sil’s mother’s demeanor changed as soon as Mila’s father joined them. To show her everything was okay, Sil started speaking in Ours. Her mother looked upset, but said nothing. Mila’s...