Summary

In "Ma," Amor receives a message at school saying that her mother, Rachel, has died. Though Rachel has been sick for some time, Amor cannot believe the news. Amor's aunt Marina comes to pick her up. Marina "has always looked down on" Rachel, and feigns sadness (17). Amor packs her things. She has been living in the school hostel "for the past seven months" waiting for her mother's death (18). Though she has been desperate to leave, today "she doesn't want to go" (18).

In the car, Marina talks about Rachel's funeral. She is furious that Rachel is having a Jewish service. She thinks Rachel's conversion "back to her old religion" is a family betrayal (19). Amor "tries not to listen" (19). She still cannot adjust to her mother's death.

At her aunt and uncle's, everyone tells Amor they are sorry about her mother. Eventually, Amor gets...