Stella

Stella and Esperanza arrive at Esperanza’s home, but Stella knows that it is not her real home. Stella does not want to get out of the car, but since Esperanza is the top human, she knows she has to listen to her. There is a white dog, Gus, watching over some sheep, but Stella does not know what sheep are. A girl named Cloe runs out and bends down to greet Stella, which makes Stella happy. Cloe also gives Stella her hand to smell, which Stella also appreciates. Cloe smells like books, and Stella takes this as a good sign because she knows two kind humans who sat with books for many hours. She thinks about words Connie used to repeat from a book: “You must do the thing that you think you cannot do” (29). Stella recognizes a sour smell on herself, and she realizes that the smell is part of her rather than on her.

Cloe takes Stella on a walk to a playground. Cloe asks Stella to go through a tunnel, but since it is not a command and since Stella does not want to be there, she does not comply.