Ordinary Hazards

Nikki reflects on how trauma has eaten away at her memory, erasing even non-threatening details like the names of teachers or “Innocuous classroom feuds” (109).

Nikki arrives at Grand Central Station, wondering if she will ever return to Ossining. Bernice and new husband, Clark, are there to greet her, but Nikki is wary of both.

Nikki arrives at her new home to find a welcome party of mostly strangers waiting for her; Grandma Mac is there, too. Nikki is introduced to neighbors, cousins, and Clark’s family, including his father. A tired Nikki goes up to her new room but is summoned back downstairs by Bernice shortly after. Not wanting to disappoint her mother who went to so much effort, Nikki heads downstairs and sees Clark’s father behave inappropriately with Grandma Mac. Grandma Mac slaps him, but he simply laughs it off, and Nikki worries about the similarities between father and son.