At the lake, something changes in Esperanza. Incorporating a metaphor about spring in Alaska — the rivers beginning to run and huge chunks of ice breaking apart and shifting — Kingsolver describes Esperanza: Her eyes look clear, and when she speaks, she looks directly into Estevan's and Taylor's eyes.
During their picnic at the lake, Taylor sees Turtle burying her doll. She explains to Turtle that dolls don't grow when they are planted. When Turtle says "Mama," Taylor finally realizes that Turtle must have seen her mother buried. (Recall that earlier in Chapter 15, as Taylor drove past a cemetery, Turtle pointed at the cemetery out of the car window and said, "Mama," although at the time Taylor didn't understand the significance of Turtle's action.) Finally realizing the deep emotions that Turtle no doubt experienced when her mother died, Taylor determines to "try as hard as I can" to keep Turtle. She makes a commitment to Turtle and acknowledges that she will fight for her no matter what.
Kingsolver heightens the novel's suspense as Estevan and Esperanza agree to risk their lives for Taylor and Turtle.
