Summary

In Chapter 81, Elena immediately feels revived from her editor’s praise. Her mood improves and all feels right again. The editor specifically says that living in Naples “gave free rein” to her talent (259). Elena feels more authoritative than anyone who had discounted her—Nino, Adele, and Lila. With this new love for her origins in mind, she takes the apartment above Lila with her daughters.

In Chapter 82, Elena moves into her new apartment. Some people are excited, some are not. Pietro is able to approve because it came from the split from Nino. When Lila asks what made Elena decide, she replies that she is trying to knit her life back together. Her friend disapproves of this reason, saying that her life is in pieces and so Elena’s will be as well. The women agree that they are strong in different...