Contents
Chapter 22
Overview
Ella’s mother arrives unexpectedly, forcing Anton to escape out the back before he is discovered. Spotting a lit cigarette, Ella’s mother violently “disciplines” Ella by burning her forearm and threatens to target her face next time. The scene cements the danger of Ella’s home and heightens the need for secrecy and escape.
Summary
Ella hears her mother at the front door and, panicked, signals Anton to leave through the back. Anton moves quickly through the cluttered kitchen and escapes just before Ella’s mother enters the living room.
Trying to appear casual, Ella greets her mother, who is still in her work uniform and carrying a thrift-store bag. Her mother’s suspicion sharpens when she notices a still-smoking cigarette in the ashtray, and she demands to know what Ella was doing.
To hide Anton’s presence, Ella lies that she tried a cigarette but didn’t like it and won’t do it again. Instead of accepting this, her mother declares Ella needs to “learn her lesson,” seizes Ella’s arm, and presses the lit cigarette into her forearm. Ella cries out in pain as the burn sears her skin.
After releasing her, Ella’s mother warns that next time it will be Ella’s face. The incident confirms the threat Ella faces at home and reinforces the need to keep visitors secret and avoid triggering further violence.
Who Appears
- EllaHides Anton, lies to protect him, and is burned on the forearm by her mother as punishment.
- Ella’s motherArrives unexpectedly, discovers a lit cigarette, and burns Ella’s arm to discipline her, threatening worse.
- AntonQuickly escapes out the back door to avoid being discovered by Ella’s mother.