Cover of Wait
    Literary FictionWomen's Fiction

    Wait

    by Burnham, Gabriella
    “Wait” by Gabriella Burnham is a coming-of-age novel set on Nantucket Island, focusing on two Brazilian American sisters, Elise and Sophie. After their undocumented mother is deported, the sisters navigate complex family dynamics, identity, and self-sufficiency amidst socioeconomic challenges. The narrative explores themes of immigration, belonging, and resilience in a nuanced portrayal of contemporary American life.

    In this reflec­tive chap­ter, Elise and Sophie embark on a spon­ta­neous dri­ve through famil­iar yet unex­plored parts of their island, a jour­ney that ulti­mate­ly leads them back to their old fam­i­ly home. The late-August atmos­phere, with its frag­ile air and expan­sive sky, mir­rors their nos­tal­gic mood. Using binoc­u­lars, they observe the ren­o­vat­ed house from a dis­tance, not­ing changes like the green trim and marigolds in the win­dow box­es, while also glimps­ing the cur­rent res­i­dents and their chil­dren play­ing out­side. Despite the alter­ations, the house remains deeply sym­bol­ic for both, embody­ing their shared past and mem­o­ries.

    Their obser­va­tions evoke a mix of emo­tions as they wit­ness the new life unfold­ing in the space they once called home. Sophie notices details like a dinosaur stick­er in the attic win­dow, sig­nal­ing sub­tle traces of child­hood that res­onate with their own expe­ri­ences. The play­ful chil­dren remind them of their youth­ful skep­ti­cism toward author­i­ty, high­light­ing the con­ti­nu­ity of life despite change. This moment under­scores the bit­ter­sweet real­i­ty of growth and trans­for­ma­tion, as the house serves as a tan­gi­ble link between their past and present.

    The con­ver­sa­tion shifts as Sophie reveals a sig­nif­i­cant per­son­al mile­stone: her accep­tance to Berke­ley Uni­ver­si­ty through the wait­list, accom­pa­nied by finan­cial aid. This news sur­pris­es Elise, who had been unaware of Sophie’s col­lege appli­ca­tions. Their exchange con­veys a mix­ture of excite­ment and appre­hen­sion about Sophie’s impend­ing move to Cal­i­for­nia for ori­en­ta­tion, empha­siz­ing the chal­lenges and oppor­tu­ni­ties that lie ahead. Elise offers sup­port, encour­ag­ing Sophie to embrace this new chap­ter despite the dis­tance it will cre­ate between them.

    As they pre­pare to leave, the sis­ters reflect on the emo­tion­al com­plex­i­ties of Sophie’s depar­ture, par­tic­u­lar­ly con­cern­ing their mother’s reac­tion. Sophie express­es wor­ry about upset­ting their moth­er by mov­ing far­ther away, while Elise reas­sures her of their fam­i­ly’s pride and sup­port. The chap­ter clos­es with the image of the chil­dren being called inside for din­ner, sym­bol­iz­ing the pas­sage of time and the evolv­ing nature of home and fam­i­ly. Elise dri­ves away, car­ry­ing the weight of mem­o­ries and the promise of change, encap­su­lat­ing the themes of tran­si­tion and endur­ing con­nec­tion.

    FAQs

    • 1. How do Elise and Sophie’s actions during their drive reflect their emotional connection to their past home?

      Answer:
      Elise and Sophie’s decision to take a spontaneous drive through unpaved roads and dead-end cul-de-sacs symbolizes their subconscious attempt to reconnect with familiar places and memories, despite their intention to explore new locations. Their return to their old house, approached from an unfamiliar side and observed through binoculars, highlights a mix of nostalgia and distance—they want to see how the house has changed without fully engaging with it. This cautious observation, coupled with Sophie’s reflection on the house still feeling like “our house” despite renovations, reveals their enduring emotional bond to their childhood home and the memories it holds.

      2. What role does the renovated house play in Sophie and Elise’s understanding of change and continuity?

      Answer:
      The renovated house serves as a tangible representation of change and continuity in Sophie and Elise’s lives. Though the house has been altered—painted green trim, marigolds in window boxes, a newly built porch—the sisters still perceive it as “our house.” This suggests that identity and memory are not solely tied to physical structures but also to the emotional significance attached to them. The house’s transformation mirrors the sisters’ own transitions, especially as Sophie prepares to leave for college. It encapsulates the tension between holding onto the past and moving forward, emphasizing that while external changes occur, the essence of what the house represents remains intact.

      3. How does Sophie’s college acceptance and impending move influence the dynamic between the sisters in this chapter?

      Answer:
      Sophie’s acceptance to Berkeley and imminent move to California introduces a pivotal moment in the sisters’ relationship, highlighting themes of growth, separation, and support. Sophie’s hesitation to share the news initially and her worry about their mother’s reaction reveal underlying anxieties about change and distance. Elise’s response—offering encouragement and reassurance—demonstrates her supportive role and willingness to embrace Sophie’s independence despite feeling left behind. This dynamic reflects a realistic portrayal of sibling relationships during transitional life phases, where love and pride coexist with fear of loss and uncertainty about the future.

      4. In what ways does the presence of the new family in their old house affect Sophie and Elise’s reflections?

      Answer:
      The presence of the new family, especially the children playing and the mother calling them inside, evokes a sense of displacement and passage of time for Sophie and Elise. Observing the lively domestic scene from a distance through binoculars, the sisters are reminded that life continues in their former home without them. This observation prompts reflections on childhood, authority, and identity, as Sophie relates the children’s rebellious playfulness to their own past. The scene underscores the bittersweet nature of change—while the house still holds personal significance, it now belongs to others, reinforcing the sisters’ need to move forward.

      Answer:
      Sophie’s discussion about college acceptance and moving away explores themes of transition, self-discovery, and evolving identity. Her surprise at being accepted off a waitlist and the practical arrangements for her move illustrate the uncertainty and excitement that accompany major life changes. The conversation reveals Sophie’s internal conflict—excitement for new opportunities tempered by guilt and fear of disappointing family. The chapter captures the universal experience of leaving home to forge an independent identity, highlighting the emotional complexity of growth and the importance of familial support during such transitions.

    Quotes

    • 1. “They decide to go for a drive, Elise and Sophie, because the late-August air feels pleasantly fragile and the sky is stretched into a seamless cover.”

      This opening line sets the reflective and nostalgic tone of the chapter, illustrating the characters’ desire for spontaneity and escape while also hinting at their emotional state and the fragility of their current moment.

      2. “Yes, Sophie says. Even if everything about it changes, it will still be our house.”

      This quote captures a core theme of the chapter—the enduring connection to place and memory despite physical changes. It highlights how identity and belonging persist beyond outward transformations, reflecting the characters’ deep attachment to their past.

      3. “I got rejected from most, but Berkeley wait-listed me back in April. I basically wrote it off and forgot about it. I figured they would only take me if someone decided to go to like Stanford instead, and by that point the aid money would be gone. But I found out yesterday I got in. And they’re giving me money too.”

      This passage marks a major turning point in the chapter, revealing Sophie’s unexpected acceptance to college. It conveys themes of hope, uncertainty, and the bittersweet nature of new beginnings.

      4. “Don’t worry about me. I’d sooner drive this car to Berkeley than prevent you from going to college.”

      Elise’s supportive response underscores the bond between the sisters and emphasizes selflessness and encouragement in the face of change, reinforcing the chapter’s focus on personal growth and moving forward.

      5. “She’ll be proud, Elise says. We’re always proud of you, Sophie.”

      This concluding reassurance speaks to familial love and affirmation amid transition, encapsulating the emotional undercurrent of the chapter as Sophie prepares to leave home and embrace the future.

    Quotes

    1. “They decide to go for a drive, Elise and Sophie, because the late-August air feels pleasantly fragile and the sky is stretched into a seamless cover.”

    This opening line sets the reflective and nostalgic tone of the chapter, illustrating the characters’ desire for spontaneity and escape while also hinting at their emotional state and the fragility of their current moment.

    2. “Yes, Sophie says. Even if everything about it changes, it will still be our house.”

    This quote captures a core theme of the chapter—the enduring connection to place and memory despite physical changes. It highlights how identity and belonging persist beyond outward transformations, reflecting the characters’ deep attachment to their past.

    3. “I got rejected from most, but Berkeley wait-listed me back in April. I basically wrote it off and forgot about it. I figured they would only take me if someone decided to go to like Stanford instead, and by that point the aid money would be gone. But I found out yesterday I got in. And they’re giving me money too.”

    This passage marks a major turning point in the chapter, revealing Sophie’s unexpected acceptance to college. It conveys themes of hope, uncertainty, and the bittersweet nature of new beginnings.

    4. “Don’t worry about me. I’d sooner drive this car to Berkeley than prevent you from going to college.”

    Elise’s supportive response underscores the bond between the sisters and emphasizes selflessness and encouragement in the face of change, reinforcing the chapter’s focus on personal growth and moving forward.

    5. “She’ll be proud, Elise says. We’re always proud of you, Sophie.”

    This concluding reassurance speaks to familial love and affirmation amid transition, encapsulating the emotional undercurrent of the chapter as Sophie prepares to leave home and embrace the future.

    FAQs

    1. How do Elise and Sophie’s actions during their drive reflect their emotional connection to their past home?

    Answer:
    Elise and Sophie’s decision to take a spontaneous drive through unpaved roads and dead-end cul-de-sacs symbolizes their subconscious attempt to reconnect with familiar places and memories, despite their intention to explore new locations. Their return to their old house, approached from an unfamiliar side and observed through binoculars, highlights a mix of nostalgia and distance—they want to see how the house has changed without fully engaging with it. This cautious observation, coupled with Sophie’s reflection on the house still feeling like “our house” despite renovations, reveals their enduring emotional bond to their childhood home and the memories it holds.

    2. What role does the renovated house play in Sophie and Elise’s understanding of change and continuity?

    Answer:
    The renovated house serves as a tangible representation of change and continuity in Sophie and Elise’s lives. Though the house has been altered—painted green trim, marigolds in window boxes, a newly built porch—the sisters still perceive it as “our house.” This suggests that identity and memory are not solely tied to physical structures but also to the emotional significance attached to them. The house’s transformation mirrors the sisters’ own transitions, especially as Sophie prepares to leave for college. It encapsulates the tension between holding onto the past and moving forward, emphasizing that while external changes occur, the essence of what the house represents remains intact.

    3. How does Sophie’s college acceptance and impending move influence the dynamic between the sisters in this chapter?

    Answer:
    Sophie’s acceptance to Berkeley and imminent move to California introduces a pivotal moment in the sisters’ relationship, highlighting themes of growth, separation, and support. Sophie’s hesitation to share the news initially and her worry about their mother’s reaction reveal underlying anxieties about change and distance. Elise’s response—offering encouragement and reassurance—demonstrates her supportive role and willingness to embrace Sophie’s independence despite feeling left behind. This dynamic reflects a realistic portrayal of sibling relationships during transitional life phases, where love and pride coexist with fear of loss and uncertainty about the future.

    4. In what ways does the presence of the new family in their old house affect Sophie and Elise’s reflections?

    Answer:
    The presence of the new family, especially the children playing and the mother calling them inside, evokes a sense of displacement and passage of time for Sophie and Elise. Observing the lively domestic scene from a distance through binoculars, the sisters are reminded that life continues in their former home without them. This observation prompts reflections on childhood, authority, and identity, as Sophie relates the children’s rebellious playfulness to their own past. The scene underscores the bittersweet nature of change—while the house still holds personal significance, it now belongs to others, reinforcing the sisters’ need to move forward.

    Answer:
    Sophie’s discussion about college acceptance and moving away explores themes of transition, self-discovery, and evolving identity. Her surprise at being accepted off a waitlist and the practical arrangements for her move illustrate the uncertainty and excitement that accompany major life changes. The conversation reveals Sophie’s internal conflict—excitement for new opportunities tempered by guilt and fear of disappointing family. The chapter captures the universal experience of leaving home to forge an independent identity, highlighting the emotional complexity of growth and the importance of familial support during such transitions.

    Note