Chapter 18 Summary

At the beginning of each month since Norah left, Reta has written a check to the Promise Hostel in Toronto. She always cries as she writes out the amount, cries as she folds it into an envelope, and cries as she walks down the road to the mailbox. Her tears are not those of grief, but are an expression of the heartfelt appreciation she feels for the compassionate people who run this place of refuge for the homeless. She knows that Norah sleeps at this hostel every night and is grateful that her daughter has found a safe haven in a dangerous environment.

As soon as the Winters had discovered where Norah was spending her nights, the family had traveled to Toronto and toured the hostel. Reta describes its dormitory appearance, the meals served, the curfew enforced. After the tour, Tom, Reta, Christine...