Reel

As he brings Neevah to his house, Canon reflects again on dealing with his mother’s illness and the grief of her death. He feels frustrated and helpless to see Neevah so vulnerable. He senses that she’s being guarded with him and decides, “I want her however she comes. She’s worth all of the gambles with no guarantees” (362).

Neevah takes a bath, and Canon confronts her about why she is being distant with him. As he shaves her legs, he tells her that he wants her unconditionally. Neevah challenges him, exposing her rash and bald spots, and he confirms that the light he sees in her is still there: “If anything, this fight she’s in, what it requires of her, is the filament to make her shine even brighter” (368). They have sex, and Canon realizes that his mother has gotten her wish: He’s found someone he loves more than his art. He tells Neevah that he loves her, and she says that she loves him back.

Neevah reflects on how her aspirations have “gone from winning a Tony to living to see [her] next birthday” (374). She’s overjoyed that Canon loves her. She struggles with her symptoms and knows that she needs to call Terry.