What I Carry

The next morning, Muiriel and Kira talk about the bonfire. Kira describes Elliot as “one of those mythical sensitive, smart, straight boys” (129). Seeing how much Kira enjoys spending time with the art students, Muiriel says that she should be the one in art class rather than her bullies. Later that morning, Muiriel feels uncomfortable when Natan offers his unprompted opinion on her makeup. When Sean arrives, he gives Muiriel a kiss in private. Sean and Muiriel are assigned to accompany Natan on a hike with a group of fifth graders. Natan tells the students that girls shouldn’t hike when they’re menstruating because blood attracts predators. While Sean escorts Natan to Jane’s office, Muiriel debunks this misinformation and tells the children, “If any adult ever tells you that you can’t do something because you’re a girl, or because you’re a boy, or because you’re having a normal bodily function—always be suspicious. Because they are lying” (134). Sean and Muiriel overhear a conversation between Natan and Jane and learn that he is her nephew. When she tells the 32-year-old that she can’t keep protecting him from the complaints about his behavior, he becomes emotionally manipulative and reminds her of the money she borrowed from his father.