His words were terrible to me. I walked along until we reached the mouth of Scary. Then I stopped. It was the boundary of the Homeplace, a mystical boundary. I feared to cross, feared I would be cast out as Albion was with no place of my own. I waved goodbye, my arm heavy as lead. Albion was lost to me. I loved him, but it was not enough to hold him. I first began to understand what I have learned since, that there are forces in this world, principalities and powers, that wrench away the things that are loved, people and land, and return only exile.

I ran to the Aunt Jane Place to lay my head in the lap of the old woman and weep.

Four

ROSA ANGELELLI

YES, I KILL THAT BUTTERFLY. BUT I SAVE ALL THOSE OTHERS. I let them go. I throw them into the air and they fly away.

Mama, why do I ever leave Sicily? You hold me on your lap and pat my cheek. You feed me oranges.

The butterflies live in our trees, purple and gold. I chase them and have one in my hands. The legs are strong, they pluck at my flesh and I am afraid they will hurt me. My hands break the wings. I do not mean it. My fingers are slick with powder from the wings.

I cry because it is dying.

Papa laughs. Silly, he says. Stupid.

Mama cleans for the big people in Palermo. She polishes the floors. She comes home and combs my hair.

You do not pick up the butterfly, she says. Do not touch with your fingers. The dust comes off and the butterfly cannot fly.

I sob, I broke the wings.

Bambina. She kisses the top of my head. It was so pretty. Is that why you are sad?

Senore Davidson keeps butterflies in cases. I polish the cases. The butterflies are prisoners, the pins hold them down. I want to tell Mama about them but she is so far away.

Mario brings me here. And Papa. Mario comes to West Virginia to dig the coal and be rich. I don’t want to go. I don’t know Mario very well. Papa says go.

I have eight children, he says. How can I feed them all? You are the oldest. You go and send back money. How else can a woman help?

Mama cries. Rosa is like my sister, she says.

Mama takes me to the boat. Papa does not come.

I will see you again, she says. Bambina. I will see you again.

Senore Davidson brings Mama to stay with me in this place. There is a white bed for her here, in this room.