Summary

Laurel returns to visit her mother, who explains to her as best that she can that she is now ready to die. With Laurel happy and Ellie found (or so she thinks) she has no reason to stick around any longer.

The same afternoon, Laurel takes Poppy shopping. The two begin a conversation about mothers. Poppy reveals that she hates her mother, who was mean and neglectful towards her. She describes her mother as having red hair that smelled badly. This is an image far removed from how Laurel had imagined her mother to be.

Laurel learns that Poppy has a bleak view of life. One in which we have no greater purpose. This revelation causes her to comment on how very different Poppy is from most people.

As they eat their lunch, Laurel is thrown into a memory that she has of...