The Dala Horse

Summary

• Older woman Tova has been preparing for her move into a retirement home, but changes her mind and decides not to leave her house.
• She does not have any solid future plans, but expects to move temporarily into the homes of her friends Barbara and Janice.
• Tova’s grandson Cameron unexpectedly shows up at her home early in the morning, admitting his mistakes and apologizing for being disrespectful.
• She is amused and touched by his slightly misguided young man and jovially ignores his stutters and mistakes, treating him as a grandson and going out of her way to support him.
• They share a family reunion at her home, where she shares Erik (Tova's son and Cameron's father) bedroom and memorabilia including a repaired wooden horse and Erik's class ring, leading to a sorrowful reminiscing about Erik's death.
• She also reveals to Cameron that Tova had hidden a disciplinary note from Cameron’s employer, protecting him from the consequences of his past actions.
• After their conversation, Tova shows Cameron Erik’s old room, revealing unknown facts about Erik, including a hidden compartment beneath a floorboard.
• Cameron uncovers old snack cakes and a carefully repaired figurine from the hidden compartment, both left by Erik. Tova gives the figurine to Cameron while sharing her knowledge about its cultural significance and their shared heritage.
• The chapter ends with a sweet and poignant reunion as Cameron finally accepts Tova as his grandmother.