Summary

In Chapter 9, Lamentations rode the boat she had made down the river. Birds circled when they spotted the contusion on her head. Meanwhile, she dreamed of being on a beach with Bess.

Bess had been a different child from her birth. When people discovered she had a “mind that remained in infancy,” they scorned and abused her (100). Lamentations loved her unconditionally.

Waking to the wind and cold, Lamentations docked and made a fire. When she caught her reflection in the water, all of her experiences, memories, sorrows, and loves dissipated. Her old self was missing.

Although still hungry and in pain, Lamentations returned to the boat. When afternoon arrived, she pulled the boat into the trees. Lying in the grass, she “summoned the ghost of the glassblower” for comfort (108). Then she imagined lying in “god’s hand” and remembered the feeling from “when...