I Can Make This Promise

Edie asks her parents if Edith and Theo are still alive. She is not surprised when they say no. Lisa tells her, “If they were, you would’ve grown up with them” (209). They drive to Theo’s old house to continue the story. When they arrive, Serenity and Uncle Phil surprise them; Edie’s parents wanted her to be surrounded by loved ones for this difficult experience. Serenity tells Edie that she continued to hang out with Amelia only because Edie still liked her. Edie accepts that the friendship with Amelia is over but that she is with the people who really matter to her.

Lisa tells everyone her story, just as Theo told it to her in the same living room many years in the past. Edith returned home excited about her pregnancy. She planned to give birth at home, but she unexpectedly went into labor while she was in Seattle with Theo. She was rushed to the hospital, where she gave birth to Lisa. Afterward, her baby was immediately taken away for “a few routine tests” (223).

Lisa continues her story. After she was taken away as a newborn by the hospital workers, a social worker arrived and questioned Edith and Theo about their income, their family, Edith’s status as an unmarried woman, and Theo’s arrest record. He was previously arrested during Indigenous protest movements.

The social worker decided that Edith’s family environment was not suitable for raising a child. He told her, “I will pray for you, child” (226), but he refused to let Edith see her baby again, despite her pleas.

Lisa concludes her story. Edie is confused by how this could have happened. Lisa explains that, for decades, many Indigenous children were separated from their parents and placed with white families in an effort to disconnect them from their cultural heritage. The practice continued until Congress passed the Indian Child Welfare Act in 1978, just one year after Lisa’s birth. Edie is horrified.

After Lisa finishes her story, the group discusses dinner plans. While Serenity, Phil, and Edie’s father start cooking, Edie and Lisa go outside. Lisa explains that Theo died of cancer in 2001, and Edith died of a fatal arrhythmia before Lisa could meet her. The house now belongs to Lisa; she considered raising Edie there but opted to live in Seattle instead. She wanted Edie to have a childhood that wouldn’t make her feel angry or confused.

Edie tells her mother about her worry that her braces will change her smile and stop her from looking like Edith. Lisa tells Edie that she has her grandmother’s spirit, and “that’s something no one can ever change or take away” (235). Edie suddenly realizes that the view from Indianola looks out over Golden Gardens. She has always been close to her heritage, even if she did not realize it.

After dinner, Edie sees several canoes in the water. The group follows them back to the park where they had lunch and realizes they’ve stumbled upon a large gathering of Indigenous Peoples from many tribes around the area. Edie meets Roger again. This time, she feels as though she fits in with her culture and with the people around her.

On August 28, Edie and her family celebrate Lisa’s birthday. As a present, Edie shows her mother her short animated film. It starts with Bruno feeling alone and afraid, but he takes the ferry across Puget Sound and finds a community. Edie feels that she, too, found her connection to her family and her heritage. She considers the film a gift to her mother and her grandmother.