This Saturday, a spark from the past. Cameron Walker’s ‘Ripening‘ graced our September issue with its magical presence; here, she talks about mothermagic, people changing into food, and the words that make things hurt.

1. There are certain words in this story that make it especially devastating. For example, “When she thinks I’m asleep, she cradles me in her arms and whispers that even if I become beautiful, she’ll never let anyone hurt me.” Tell me about this even. Are beautiful people meant to be hurt?

First, I have the very odd feeling that I might get these questions wrong, even though I should probably know the answers, right? I think because they are very good questions. And because I haven’t had to take a test in a long time.

I think I first was thinking about the “if” of that sentence, that the mother isn’t sure this daughter will ever become beautiful in the same way that her sister was. And she’s relieved. And she’s feeling guilty that she did let something happen to her beautiful daughter. (And the narrator sort of accepts this about herself. I’ve been reading a lot about siblings recently, and how parents put them in particular roles- and even if she does become beautiful, I don’t think either she or her mother will think of her this way.)

But the “even,” that’s what you asked about. I’m not sure, but I imagine that at first, the mother felt threatened by her beautiful daughter, and the threat made her hesitate to protect her. She won’t hesitate again, not with this child.

2. It can take almost two years to grow an edible pineapple. What are the key growth years for humans? When do we “push out roots”?

Oh, I hope we never stop pushing out roots, don’t you? Continue reading →