The Storyteller's Secret

The novel returns to the present. Jaya and Ravi have been in the garden all day talking about Amisha; it is now dusk. Jaya is astonished by her grandmother’s story and in disbelief that her mother knows nothing of it. She remembers a Halloween costume party when she was 12. Lena agreed to host and they chose matching costumes: the good and evil witches from The Wizard of Oz. On the day of the party, despite Jaya’s excitement, her mother remained physically distant: “her body stiffened” (119) when Jaya gave her a hug in gratitude for decorating the house. At the party, Jaya’s mother loosened up, even pulling her in for a hug twice.

When a guest commented on their matching costumes, Jaya excitedly explained their roles: “She’ll put a curse on everyone, but I’ll save the day” (119). This comment seemed to bother her mother, who went upstairs to change into regular clothes and lost her good mood. Jaya was devastated. That night she promised herself “to never engage with [mom] again” (120).