Some Trees

Contains spoilers

Overview

Tova sorts her attic in preparation for moving, confronting the emptiness of her family history. At the grocery, Sandy reveals the name of Erik’s secret girlfriend: Daphne. Ethan overhears, and Tova rushes home to verify the lead, finding Daphne A. Cassmore in the 1989 yearbook, reigniting unanswered questions.

Summary

Tova methodically sorts her attic into keep, donation, and trash piles, recalling Will’s old habit of making stacks and the paperwork of his illness. She weighs what to bring to Charter Village, moves the Dala Horses to the keep pile, and reflects on a halted family tree and the faint memory of a girl Erik might have dated.

A restless mood sends Tova to the Shop-Way for supper supplies. In the produce aisle, she meets Sandy from Mary Ann’s luncheon. After a light exchange, Ethan jokes about sampling cherries and moves on, while Sandy muses about small-town life and seems eager yet uneasy to talk.

Sandy apologizes for Adam’s earlier drinking and brings up their previous conversation, then reveals the name of Erik’s girlfriend: Daphne. The disclosure rattles Tova, who steadies herself as the revelation crystallizes something long out of reach.

Ethan notices and asks what Sandy said, guessing the name. Tova deflects and asks to check out, guarding the fragile lead.

Back home, Tova abandons her groceries and hurries to the attic. She pulls the Sowell Bay High School 1989 yearbook and searches the index, finding the confirmation she needs: Cassmore, Daphne A., listed on several pages. The name transforms vague longing into a concrete path back into Erik’s hidden past.

Who Appears

  • Tova Sullivan
    Sorts her attic for the move; learns and verifies Erik’s girlfriend’s name in the yearbook.
  • Sandy Hewitt
    Adam’s partner; apologizes and reveals the girlfriend’s name, Daphne.
  • Ethan Mack
    Shop-Way grocer; greets Tova, overhears the name Daphne, and presses gently.
  • Daphne A. Cassmore
    Erik’s high school girlfriend; identified by name and confirmed via the 1989 yearbook.
  • Erik Sullivan
    Tova’s deceased son; his secret relationship drives Tova’s renewed search.
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