Chapter 30 Summary

After the Christmas break, Natalie and Christine start to visit Norah again. Reta remembers the package they had given to Norah: a thermal lined tracksuit, perfumed soap, a brush and comb, fruit and chocolate. The family believes that she probably gave everything away to other homeless people on the street, but no one is willing to talk about it.

Reta wishes that someone would perform a lobotomy on her so that she could forget some of the painful memories of her life, especially those which involve Norah. She remembers that the week before, she had noticed that Norah's wrists were ringed with scabs and red sores. She mentions Norah's wrists to Tom, and they speculate about the possibility that she has used a razor in a suicide attempt. Tom travels to Toronto and tries to take a look at Norah without actually touching...