Vanishing Acts

Delia, Sophie, and Greta travel to Arizona. Delia worries about her absent mother and questions her own life choices. The family is surprised by the hot weather and their rundown trailer park lodging. They meet their neighbor, Ruthann Masáwistiwa, a Hopi woman known for “possession reincarnation” (100).

As Delia and Sophie settle in, Delia regrets not asking her father more about her mother and feels complicit in his lies. Delia attempts to contact her mother but fails. Meanwhile, Eric needs help meeting Andrew due to different state laws. Delia decides to meet Andrew, leading to a tense encounter with unresolved questions from the past. Delia’s night brings disturbing dreams.

Upon awakening, Sophie has a fever. Delia seeks help from Ruthann, who removes a turkey feather, called a pahos, believed to carry last year’s negative energy. Sophie’s fever subsides after the removal, though they still visit the hospital. Doctors declare Sophie healthy, and Delia discusses the feather situation with Ruthann.

Andrew grapples with the challenges of adapting to prison life. The constant noise, lack of privacy, and underlying tension create continual anxiety. In this tumultuous environment, Andrew shares a cell with “Sticks.” Sticks vehemently protests Andrew’s presence, adding another layer to his anxiety.