Tar Baby

Content Warning: These chapters contain scenes of child abuse and instances of racism and the use of slurs.

It is Christmas Eve, and spirits are high in the house. Valerian even apologizes to Margaret. She claims all responsibility for making Christmas dinner, and he asks her to make ollieballen, a traditional bread in his family, in addition to everything else. Their affection for each other returns, and they even had sex the previous night. Ondine struggles with being told not to do anything for Christmas dinner and is worried that Jadine is falling for Son, someone she sees as possessing an inferior status. She believes Valerian is keeping Son at the house to convince Jadine to stay and thereby keep Margaret from leaving.

Christmas arrives and no one, including Michael, comes for the festivities. With no guests and Michael’s absence, Margaret gives up on cooking, and Ondine finishes the meal. In the spirit of the holiday, Valerian suggests that they all eat together. Before dinner, Son speaks with Margaret, telling her that he knows she thought he wanted to attack her. She is caught off guard but wonders at Son’s height, believing that his being taller than Valerian scared her.