Summary

From Chapter 31 until Chapter 36 is the section titled, “2016.” It starts with Julie describing her memories of the boat to leave Vietnam to go to Hong Kong, with the hopes of eventually arriving in the United States. Many people were desperate to flee Hong Kong. Since the boat was so heavy with so many passengers, many could not even bring a luggage bag with them on the boat.

In Chapter 32, Julie had a scan that showed that her tumors had grown and that she also had new tumors. She was distraught. As she hugged four-year-old Belle, Belle asked her how old she was. When she said she was 40, Belle said she was old. She comforted her: "Mommy, you're not gone yet" (214).

In Chapter 33, Julie said she determined to be candid, even if such honesty was unflattering. Shortly before her family’s vacation, her oncologist...