Little Fires Everywhere By Celeste NG Part 10/10 English (Audiobook)

Summary

In 'Little Fires Everywhere' by Celeste Ng, the Richardson family's life is upended when their house burns down, leading to a temporary move to a rental. As they grapple with the aftermath, they discover a series of intimate photographs left by their tenants, Mia and Pearl, which reveal hidden family dynamics and secrets. Meanwhile, Izzy, the youngest Richardson, runs away in search of her identity and connection to Mia, setting off a desperate quest for her mother to find and understand her lost daughter.

Takeaways

• 🔥 The Richardson house was severely damaged by a fire, leaving the family to seek temporary accommodation.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Mr. and Mrs. Richardson, along with their children Lexi, Trip, and Moody, are dealing with the aftermath of the fire and the disappearance of their daughter Izzy.
• 👀 Mrs. Richardson is particularly concerned about Izzy's whereabouts and is discussing this with the police, suspecting she might be missing.
• 🏠 The family considers staying at a rental house on Winslow Road as a temporary solution while their house is being repaired.
• 📜 Upon moving into the rental house, the Richardsons find an envelope containing intimate and symbolic photographs left by Mia, deeply affecting each family member.
• 📷 The photographs are a form of communication from Mia, reflecting the personal experiences and emotions of the Richardson family.
• 🌾 One of the photos includes a discharged form from Lexi's clinic visit, hinting at secrets and personal matters within the family.
• 🌱 Another photo features a hockey chest pad with seeds growing through it, symbolizing vulnerability and growth.
• 🕊 A flock of origami birds represents freedom and the idea of moving towards higher and better things.
• 📰 A paper cut-out of a birdcage with a golden feather suggests that something or someone has escaped confinement.
• 🚶‍♀️ Izzy has run away, leaving behind a negative of a photograph as a farewell, indicating her desire for independence and a new life.

Q & A

What significant event occurred at the Richardson house that led to the fire trucks being called?

A fire occurred at the Richardson house, leaving it severely damaged with a shell that was blackened and steaming gently.

Who was missing from the Richardson family after the fire, and how did Mrs. Richardson feel about it?

Isabel Marie Richardson, also known as Izzy, was missing after the fire. Mrs. Richardson felt a mixture of fury and shame about her daughter's disappearance.

What was the immediate solution Mrs. Richardson found for the family's accommodation after their house was damaged by the fire?

Mrs. Richardson decided that the family would stay at a rental house on Winslow Road near Linfield, which had been vacated the day before.

What did the Richardson family find when they arrived at the Winslow House, and what did it signify to them?

The Richardson family found the Winslow House empty with just a few pieces of discarded furniture. This signified that Mia and Pearl had left with no intention of returning.

What did the manila envelope on the counter in the Winslow House contain, and who were they intended for?

The manila envelope contained half portraits and half wishes on paper, each specifically meant for a member of the Richardson family.

What personal item of Lexi's was included in the envelope, and what did it represent?

The discharge form for Lexi's visit to the clinic with her forged signature was included. It represented a secret part of Lexi's life that Mia had transformed into art.

What did the origami birds signify in the context of the story, and what was their connection to Pearl?

The origami birds signified freedom and the ability to rise above challenges. They were made from pages of Pearl's notebook, which Moody had previously destroyed and Mia had restored.

What was the significance of the photograph with the hockey chest pad and how did it relate to the theme of vulnerability?

The photograph with the hockey chest pad, cracked and filled with soil and seeds, symbolized the idea that it's okay to be vulnerable and that growth can come from within the hardest of shells.

How did the collage of a birdcage made from newsprint and a golden feather affect Mrs. Richardson, and what did it imply?

The collage of a birdcage with a golden feather inside affected Mrs. Richardson deeply, as it implied that something powerful had escaped the cage, possibly referring to her own aspirations or the freedom she desired.

What was the final message Mia conveyed to the Richardson family through the negatives left behind, and what did it mean?

The negatives left behind by Mia conveyed the message that she would not use the photos for her benefit or as leverage. It meant that the photos were now the property of the Richardsons to do with as they wished, reflecting Mia's respect for their autonomy.

What decision did the McCulloughs make after losing their daughter Mirabel, and how did it relate to their past experience?

The McCulloughs decided to adopt a baby from China after losing Mirabel. This decision was influenced by their past experience, as they believed that a child coming from an orphanage would not have known another mother and would be theirs without question.

How did Izzy's departure affect Mrs. Richardson, and what did she resolve to do in the future?

Izzy's departure deeply affected Mrs. Richardson, causing her to initially feel anger but eventually leading her to a realization of her love and fear of losing Izzy. She resolved to search for her daughter for as long as it took, even if it meant looking for the rest of her life.

Outlines

00:00

🏚 Aftermath of the Fire

In the wake of a destructive fire at the Richardson house, Mrs. Richardson assesses the situation, finding her husband discussing the missing Izzy with the police. The family temporarily relocates to a rental house on Winslow Road, where they find an envelope of intimate, personalized photographs left by Mia, each affecting them deeply and revealing hidden aspects of their lives.

05:01

📜 Unveiling the Personal Portraits

The family discovers photographs that Mia had created for each of them, which are intensely personal and stir up emotions. Lexi finds a photo with a connection to a clinic visit, Pearl's name is revealed in a forged signature, and Moody is reminded of his connection with Pearl through origami birds made from her notebook pages. Mr. Richardson finds a photo involving a collar stay, and Mrs. Richardson discovers a paper birdcage with a golden feather, symbolizing something that has escaped confinement.

10:01

👶 The McCulloughs' Tragedy and Hope

The McCulloughs face the devastating loss of their adopted daughter, Mirabel, who has disappeared, presumably taken by Bibi. Despite the despair, they plan to adopt another child from China, hopeful for a successful match. Mrs. McCullough grapples with the silence of Mirabel during her abduction and the overwhelming love she feels for the unborn child they are yet to meet.

15:03

🚗 Departure and New Beginnings

As Mia and Pearl leave Cleveland, they contemplate what they are leaving behind, including the potential for Mia's photography to become famous. Izzy, feeling a strong desire to escape her family and find Mia, embarks on a journey to Pittsburgh, carrying a dress and a phone number that could lead her to New York City and possibly to Mia.

20:05

🔍 The Search for Izzy

Mrs. Richardson, initially furious at Izzy's disappearance, begins to come to terms with the reality that her daughter might not return. She resolves to search for Izzy herself if the police fail to find her, reflecting on the complex relationship she has with her daughter and the deep-seated fear of losing her that has driven her actions.

25:08

🌅 Reflections and Resolutions

In the concluding paragraph, Mrs. Richardson sits outside in the night, her anger subsiding to reveal a profound concern for Izzy's well-being. She contemplates the possibility of a life-long search for her daughter, determined to find her no matter the cost or time. The novel ends with a poignant reflection on the enduring connection between a mother and her child.

Keywords

💡Richardson house

The 'Richardson house' refers to the home of the Richardson family, which is central to the story as it is set on fire. This event is a pivotal moment in the narrative, symbolizing the breakdown of the family's stability and the literal and figurative 'little fires everywhere.' The aftermath of the fire and the family's reactions to it reveal their dynamics and individual coping mechanisms.

💡Fire trucks

The term 'fire trucks' represents the emergency response to the fire at the Richardson house. Their presence sets the scene for the crisis and the urgency of the situation. The departure of the fire trucks signifies the end of the immediate danger but the beginning of the family's struggle to deal with the consequences.

💡Mia

Mia is a character who seems to be a catalyst for change within the story. She is associated with the creation of art from the remnants of the family's life, such as the collages and origami birds. Mia's actions and the way she is perceived by the Richardsons reflect themes of outsider perspectives and the transformative power of art.

💡Pearl

Pearl is another key character who has a close relationship with Mia. Her name is used to represent the idea of innocence and purity, which contrasts with the turmoil experienced by the Richardson family. Pearl's interactions with the family and her eventual departure with Mia symbolize a loss of innocence and a search for a new beginning.

💡Izzy

Izzy, short for Isabel Marie Richardson, is a central character whose actions and decisions significantly impact the family. Her disappearance and the subsequent search for her drive much of the narrative. Izzy represents the struggle for identity and the desire for freedom from the constraints of family expectations.

💡McCulloughs

The McCulloughs are another family involved in the story, connected to the Richardsons through the adoption of their child, Mirabel. Their experience with loss and the attempt to adopt again reflects themes of longing, hope, and the complexities of family bonds beyond blood relations.

💡Collar stay

The 'collar stay' is a small but significant object in the script, used metaphorically to represent stability and direction. Its magnetic properties and the experiment with it in water create a visual representation of finding one's bearings, which is a recurring theme in the characters' journeys throughout the story.

💡Origami birds

The 'origami birds' are a recurring motif in the script, symbolizing freedom and the desire to escape constraints. They are made from pages of a notebook and are associated with Mia's creativity and her influence on the other characters, particularly Moody, who recognizes them.

💡Negatives

The 'negatives' refer to photographic negatives left behind by Mia, which are a powerful symbol of the past and the hidden aspects of the characters' lives. They represent the untold stories and the potential for reinterpretation and new perspectives on the family's history.

💡Greyhound bus

The 'Greyhound bus' is a symbol of Izzy's journey to find Mia and, by extension, her own identity. It represents the physical and emotional distance she travels away from her family and towards an uncertain future, highlighting themes of self-discovery and the pursuit of one's own path.

💡Black rose

The 'black rose' is a unique and poignant symbol in the script, crafted from the materials of Izzy's beloved boots. It represents the beauty that can be found in toughness and the transformation of something personal into a symbol of strength and resilience.

Highlights

The Richardson house is left in ruins after a fire, prompting the family to consider their next steps.

Mr. Richardson consults with authorities about the missing Isabel Marie Richardson, indicating the gravity of the situation.

Mrs. Richardson's emotional turmoil is revealed as she contemplates the actions of her missing daughter.

The discovery of a manila envelope filled with personalized photographs for each family member adds a layer of mystery.

Each family member's reaction to their respective photograph reveals deep personal connections and secrets.

The symbolic imagery of the photographs, such as the net with a stone and the hockey chest pad with seeds, conveys themes of vulnerability and growth.

Mia's origami birds represent freedom and the potential for a better future.

The missing photograph and the bundle of negatives symbolize the family's fragmented past and uncertain future.

The disappearance of Mirabel and the subsequent realization of BB's involvement create a sense of loss and desperation.

The McCulloughs' decision to adopt a baby from China reflects their resilience and hope for a new beginning.

Mrs. McCullough's struggle with the loss of Mirabel and her feelings of love for a new child to come highlights the complexity of motherhood.

Izzy's journey to find Mia and her determination to escape her current life showcases her courage and search for identity.

Mrs. Richardson's internal conflict and her evolving perspective on Izzy's actions reflect a mother's struggle with understanding her child.

The novel's ending leaves readers with a poignant image of a mother's unwavering love and her lifelong commitment to finding her child.

The narrative's exploration of family dynamics, personal growth, and the search for identity provides a rich and thought-provoking conclusion.

Transcripts

little fires Everywhere by Celeste Angie

part 10.

[Music]

after the fire trucks had gone the shell

of the Richardson house now gaping in

blackened and steaming gently Mrs

Richardson pulled her bathrobe tightly

around herself and took stock

there was Mr Richardson on what had been

their front walkway Consulting with the

fire chief and two policemen

they were Lexi and trip and Moody purged

on the hood of Lexi's car across the

street watching their parents awaiting

instruction

it had not been lost on Mrs Richardson

that as he was missing and she was sure

this was what her husband was discussing

with the policeman right now

he would be giving them a description

asking them to help find her

Isabel Marie Richardson she thought with

a mixture of Fury and shame

what on Earth have you done

she said as much to the policeman to the

firemen to her children and her abashed

husband

Reckless she said how could she do this

behind her one of the firemen placed the

charred remnants of the Jerry can into

the truck to send to the insurance

company she had no doubt

when is he comes back Lexi murmured to

trip

mom is going to slaughter her

it was only when the fire chief asked

where they would be staying that Mrs

Richardson saw the obvious solution

at a rental house she said

over on Winslow Road near Linfield

to her puzzled husband and children she

said only

it was vacated yesterday

it took some maneuvering to fit three

cars into the narrow driveway at the

Winslow House and while Lexi finally

parked her Explorer by the curb Mrs

Richardson had a sudden fear that the

apartment would not be empty after all

that they might go upstairs and open the

door and find Mia and pearl still there

placidly eating their lunches at the

table refusing to leave

or perhaps Mia would have left behind

some kind of statement a mess to clean

up broken windows or smashed walls one

last middle finger to her landlords

but when the Richardson family has

stowed all four cars at last and paraded

up the steps much to Mr Yang's confusion

there was no sign of anyone upstairs

just a few pieces of discarded furniture

Mrs Richardson nodded in approval and

relief

it looks so different Lexi murmured and

it did the three remaining Richardson

children clustered together in the

doorway between the living room and the

kitchen so close their shoulders nearly

touched

in the kitchen the cupboards were empty

the two mismatched chairs pushed neatly

under the rickety table

Moody thought of how many times he'd sat

at the table beside Pearl doing homework

eating a bowl of cereal

Lexi scanned a living room only a few

throw pillows stacked on the carpet

beowalls now except for some stray thumb

tack holes in the plaster

trip glanced toward the bedroom where

through the open door he could see

Pearl's bed stripped of its sheets and

blankets reduced now to a bare mattress

and frame

perfectly serviceable Mrs Richardson

thought

two bedrooms one for the adults and one

for the boys

the girls for she was still certain Izzy

would be back with them shortly could

sleep on the three-season porch

a bathroom and a half well they would

have to share

it would only be for a little while

until they could find something more

suitable until their house could be

repaired

mom Lexi called from the kitchen

mom look at this

on the counter lay a large manila

envelope thick with papers

it could have been left behind by

mistake some of Mia's paperwork or

Pearl's school work perhaps overlooked

in their Hasty departure

even before Mrs Richardson touched it

though she knew this was not the case

the paper was like satin under her

fingers the flap carefully fastened but

not gummed and as she pried the Fastener

open with a fingernail and opened the

envelope the remaining Richardsons

clustered around her to see what it

contained

there was one for each of them

Mia had stacked them neatly inside half

portraits half wishes caught on paper

each of the Richardsons as Mrs

Richardson carefully laid the photos out

on the table in the line knew which was

meant for them recognized it instantly

as they might have recognized their own

faces

to the others it was just another photo

but to them it was unbearably intimate

like catching a glimpse of your own

naked body in a mirror a sheet of paper

sliced into strips finna's matchsticks

woven to form a net

suspended in its mesh a rounded heavy

Stone

the text had been sliced to unreadable

bits but Lexi recognized the pale pink

of it at once the discharge form for her

visit to the clinic

on one strip ran the bottom half of her

signature no her forged signature

Pearl's name in her own handwriting she

had left the slip at Mia's and Mia had

transformed it for her

Lexi touching the photo saw that beneath

the weight of the rock the intricate met

bulged but did not break

it was something she would have to carry

Mia had said to her and for the first

time she felt that perhaps she could

a hockey chest pad lying in the dirt

cracked through the center peppered with

holes

Mia had used a hammer and a handful of

roofing nails driving each one through

the thick white plastic-like arrows then

prying it out again

it's all right to be vulnerable she had

thought as she made each hole it's all

right to take time and see what grows

she had field trips chest pad with soil

and Scattered seeds on it and watered it

patiently for a week until from each

hole burgeoning up through the crack

came flashes of green thin tendrils

little curling leaves warming their way

up into the light

soft fragile life emerging from within

the hard shell a flock of miniature

origami birds Taking Flight the largest

the size of an open Palm the smallest

the size of a fingernail all faintly

striped with no paper lines

Moody recognized them at once even

before he saw the faint crinkles that

textured each one the pages from Pearl's

little notebook which he had given and

then taken back which he had destroyed

and crumpled and thrown away

although Mia had flattened the pages the

wrinkles still rippled across the bird's

wings as if the wind were ruffling their

feathers

the birds lay over a photograph of sky

like a scattering of petals soaring away

from a pebbled leather ground toward

higher and better things

you will too Mia had thought as she set

the birds one by one up in their paper

sky

the next photograph had begun when Mia

sweeping found one of Mr Richardson's

collar stays under the dresser she had

kept it he had plenty of others a whole

box full on top of his dresser every day

tucking one into the point of each

collar to keep it stiff turning the

little steel strip over and over between

her fingers she remembered an experiment

she'd done in science class as a child

she had rubbed it with a magnet and then

floated it in a dish of water let it

spin this way and that as it slowly

settled with its Point toward North

the resulting long exposure caught a

bow-shaped blur like the ghostly wings

of a butterfly then the bright line of

the collar stay as it found its bearing

and grew still

Mr Richardson looking at the Silver

Arrow lined and gleaming and certain in

the clouded water touched the collar of

his shirt wondered which way he was

facing now

and last and to Mrs Richardson most

startling of all a paper cut out of a

bird cage shattered as if something very

powerful inside had burst free

looking closer she saw it was made of

newsprint Mia had sliced each word out

neatly with a razor to form the gaps

between the bars it was one of her own

articles Mrs Richardson was sure though

with all the words Gala was no way to

tell which one the write-up of the

Nature Center fundraiser the report on

the new community Colonnade the progress

of the citizens on patrol project any

one of the pieces she dutifully turned

out over the years any one of the

stories that had despite her intentions

built the bulk of her career

each Splinter bar bent gracefully

outward like The Petal of a

chrysanthemum and in the center of the

empty cage lay one small Golden Feather

something had escaped this cage

something had found its wings

Mia assembling this Photograph could

think of no better wish for Mrs

Richardson

they did not realize that one photo was

missing until Mrs Richardson lifted the

last to reveal a bundle of negatives

the message was clear Mia would not try

to sell them

she would not share them or hold them

for some future Leverage

these are yours the Stag seemed to say

these are you do what you will with them

inside were their portraits inverted and

reversed all the dark made light and the

light made dark

but one did not match any print in the

Box Izzy had removed that print the

night before when she had come into the

empty apartment and found Mia and pearl

gone and only the envelope of photos

Left Behind is a farewell

she'd known it was hers immediately a

black rose dropped on a cracked square

of pavement the petals cut from black

boot leather her beloved boots which had

made her feel Fierce which her mother

had thrown away the outside petals from

the scuffed toes the inner darkest

petals from the tongue a boot lace tip

fraying stretched out long for a stem

yellow Snippets of stitching unpid from

around the sole to form the delicate

threads of its heart

toughness rendered tender even beautiful

Izzy had slipped it into her bag before

closing the envelope again and turning

out the lights and locking the door

behind her

her family left with just the negative

could view only its tiny inverse a pale

flower fading to Moon white within a

dark gray slab behind it like a cloudy

night sky it was not until late that

afternoon that Mr Richardson checked the

voicemail on his cell phone and got the

news

in the staticky recording Mark

McCullough was sobbing so hard Mr

Richardson could barely understand him

the night before he and Linda both

exhausted from the verdict the press

conference The Gauntlet of the entire

ordeal had fallen into the kind of sleep

they hadn't had for months deep

dreamless and uninterrupted

in the morning they woke groggy drunken

from so much rest and Mrs McCullough had

glanced at the clock on her nightstand

and realized it was 10 30. Mirabel

usually woke them at Sunrise crying for

breakfast for a new diaper and she knew

as soon as she saw the red numbers on

the clock that something was very wrong

she had left from bed and run into

mirabal's room without even putting on

her slippers and her robot Mark

McCullough still blinking in the strong

Morning Light had heard her screaming

from the other room

the crib was empty Mirabal was gone it

would be a full day before the police

could piece together the clues and

figure out what had happened the

unlocked sliding door to the back patio

such a safe neighborhood not that kind

of place

the latch on the inside and out covered

with fingerprints

BB's absence from work

BB's Empty Apartment

and finally a ticket booked in BB's name

for a flight to Canton at 11 20 the

night before

after that there was almost no chance

the mcculloughs were told that they

could trace her

China was a large country the inspector

told them without a trace of irony

Bibi would have reached Canton by then

and who knew where she might go a needle

in a haystack

you could burn all your money he'd told

them trying to track them down

almost a year later when the

Richardson's new house was nearly

rebuilt when the mcculloughs had spent

not all their money but tens of

thousands of dollars on detectives and

diplomatic wranglings with little result

Mrs McCullough and Mrs Richardson had

lunch together at the saffron patch

they had seen each other through the

past months of turmoil as they had seen

each other through Decades of ups and

downs and would continue to see each

other over the various Hills and Valleys

yet to come

Mark and I have applied to adopt a baby

from China Mrs McCullough told Mrs

Richardson as she scooped chicken tikka

masala onto a mound of rice

that's wonderful Mrs Richardson said

the adoption agent says we're ideal

candidates

she thinks they'll have a match for us

within six months

Mrs McCullough took a sip of water

she says that coming from China the odds

of the baby's family trying to regain

custody are almost meal

Mrs Richardson leaned across the table

to squeeze her old friend's hand

that will be a very lucky baby she said

this was what would haunt Mrs McCullough

most that Mirabel hadn't cried out when

Bibi had reached into the crib and

lifted her up and taken her away

despite everything despite the homemade

food and the toys and the late nights

and the love so much love more love than

Mrs McCullough could have imagined

possible despite it all she still had

felt bibi's arms were a safe place a

place she belonged this next baby she

told herself coming from an orphanage

would never have known another mother

she would be theirs without question

already Mrs McCullough felt dizzy with

love for this child she had yet to meet

she tried not to think about Mirabel the

daughter they'd lost out there somewhere

living some other form life

that final night as they pulled away

from the Richardson's house Pearl had

dropped the keys into the Richardson's

mailbox with a clatter and climbed back

into the car and finally voiced the

question that had been clinging to the

tip of her tongue what if those are the

pictures that were going to make you

famous

they would not be

that would be the idea just beginning to

Sparkle in Mia's mind as she flicked on

the headlights a wisp of an idea not yet

coalesced into an image let alone words

as it happened the Richardsons would

never sell those photos

they would keep them and the photos

would assume the status of uneasy family

heirlooms something later generations

would wonder about when at last a Dusty

box in the Attic was found and opened

where those photographs had come from

who had made them what they meant

for now Mia eased the car into first

gear then I'll owe them much much more

than the price of the photos

she guided the rabbit past the duck pond

across Van Aken and the rapid tracks

toward Warrensville road which would

take them to the highway out of

Cleveland and onward

I wish I'd had a chance to say goodbye

Pearl thought about Moody about Lexi and

Tripp the threads that still bound her

to each of them in different ways

over the years over the course of her

life she would try repeatedly to

untangle these threads and find each

time that they were hopelessly

intertwined and is he I wish I'd gotten

to see her one last time

Mia was quiet thinking of Izzy too

poor Izzy she said it blast

she wants to get out of there so badly

an idea began to format Pearl's mind and

wild golden loops

we could go back and get her I could

climb up the back porch and knock on her

window and

my darling Mia said

Izzy is only 15. There are rules about

that kind of thing

but as the car sped down Warrensville

rode in toward i-480 Mia allowed herself

a brief fantasy

they would be driving down a two-lane

road some back Highway the kind Mia

favored the kind that wove its way

through small towns composed of a store

and a cafe and a gas pump

dustwood Billow in the air as they went

by like golden clouds

they would come around a curve and out

of that golden Mist they would see a

shadowy figure by the roadside arm out

one thumb up

Mia would slow the car and as the dust

settled they would see her hair first a

bill of gold on gold recognizing that

wild hair that golden wildness even

before they saw her face even before

they could stop and fling the door wide

and let her in

Saturday morning as Mia and pearl

crossed into Iowa Izzy the smell of

smoke still clinging faintly to her hair

climbed aboard a Greyhound bus headed

for Pittsburgh

across town her family was just now

gathering on the bank of the duck pond

watching the firefighters douse the

Richardson house Flame by Flame

she had folded in her back pocket and a

dress she had found in her mother's

files which she had rifled through late

the previous night after packing her bag

George and Regina Wright Bethel Park

Pennsylvania

there had been a phone number two but

Izzy knew a phone call would not give

her the answers she needed

the file on her mother's desk neatly

labeled MW

in her mother's careful writing had been

quite full and she had read everything

sitting in the Lamplight in her mother's

office chair while everyone slept

quietly upstairs

below the rights address she'd copied

another Anita Reese the Reese gallery

it was somewhere in New York City

Mia she knew had started there when she

was not much older than Izzy she

wondered what it would be like

maybe one of these people would help her

find Mia wherever she might be headed

maybe they would send her back to her

parents

and if they did

she would leave again

she would leave again and again until

she was old enough that no one could

send her back

she would keep searching until she found

what she was looking for

Pittsburgh Beckham and Beyond it New

York Mia's past but her future

they would lead her to Mia somehow

now settling into a seat and leaning her

head against the window she imagined how

it would go

she would spot Mia from behind first but

of course she would recognize her

immediately

Izzy knew her outline like a shape she'd

traced over and over until she knew it

by heart

she would find Mia and when Mia turned

she would open her arms she would take

Izzy in and take her with her wherever

she would go next

that last night as Mrs Richardson

settled down to sleep in the Winslow

House for the first time she began to

think as she would for a long time of

her youngest child

the noises of the house were foreign to

her the hum of the fridge the faint

Rumble of a furnace downstairs the

squeak of a branch rubbing the slate

roof overhead and she Rose and went

outside and sat on the steps of the

little duplex her bathrobe wrapped

tightly around her under her feet the

cement stoop was cool and slightly damp

as if a fog had just lifted all day long

she had been fuming at Izzy both

internally and aloud

ungrateful child she had said

how could she do this

what she wasn't going to do when they

found her

she would be grounded for life

she would be sent to boarding school

military school

a convent she had half a mind to let the

police have her let her learn about

consequences in jail

her husband and children used to wear

flares of Fury at Izzy nodded quietly

let her rent

but this was different from other times

this time Izzy had crossed every line

and now each member of the family was

slowly realizing she might never be back

the police were searching for Izzy of

course

they'd put out an alert for her as a

runaway and a possibly endangered child

and in the days to come Mrs Richardson

would give them photos for bulletins and

posters would track Izzy's friends and

classmates one by one searching for

clues about where she might have gone

but the ones who might have known she

realized had already gone

all up and down the street the houses

looked like any others but inside them

are people who might be happy or taking

Refuge or stealing themselves to go out

into the world searching for something

better so many lives she would never

know about unfolding behind those doors

it was nearly midnight and a car drove

down Winslow quickly its high beams on

as if it had somewhere important to be

then disappeared into the darkness

she probably looked crazy to the

neighbors she thought sitting out there

on the steps in the dark but for once

she did not care

the anger she had stoked all day had

burned away like the heat of the

afternoon burning off as evening fell

leaving her with one thought cold and

crystalline and piercing as a star Izzy

was gone

everything that had infuriated her about

Izzy even before she'd taken her first

breath had been rooted in that one fear

that she might lose her and now she had

a thin whale Rose from her throat sharp

as the blade of a knife

for the first time her heart began to

shatter thinking of her child out there

among the world

is he that child who had caused her so

much trouble who had worried her so much

who had never stopped worrying her and

worrying at her whose Restless energy

had driven her at last to take flight

that child who she thought had been her

opposite but who had deep inside

inherited and carried a nurse that

sparked her mother had long ago tamped

down its same burning certainty that she

knew right from wrong

she thought as she would often for many

years of a photograph from that day with

the one Golden Feather inside it was it

a portrait of her or her daughter

was she the bird trying to batter its

way free or was she the cage

the police would find the Izzy she told

herself

they would find her and she would be

able to make amends

she wasn't sure how but she was certain

she would

and if the police couldn't find her then

she would look for Izzy herself

for as long as it took for forever if

need be ERS might pass and they might

change both of them but she was sure she

would still know her own child just as

she would know herself no matter how

long it had been

she was certain of this

she would spend months years the rest of

her life looking for her daughter

searching the face of every young woman

she met for as long as it took searching

for a spark of familiarity in the faces

of strangers

[Music]

this beautiful novel ends here will be

back with the next soon

thanks for listening

[Music]