History of Wolves

As Leo’s arrival grows closer, summer brings in the annual fisherman. Linda remarks upon the ways the visitors try to remember the locals—how they call her “Jim’s girl” (73) despite meeting her once or twice. Linda enjoys their attention because it makes her feel seen and distinct. School nears an end with finals, but Linda notices that Lily misses the last week—she handed in a pink slip and hasn’t been back. 

At the end of the week, Linda watches Paul reorganize his city, located on Europa, Jupiter’s sixth moon. Patra walks through the capital unknowingly, distracted and excited about the arrival of her husband, and Paul throws a tantrum. Linda notices sweat pooling on the child’s chin and his pupils dilating. Patra attempts to soothe him with a familiar ritual, but she’s distracted. When she messes up, Patra asks Paul what “CS” tells them, beginning to repeat Paul’s words from the playground: “There is no spot where God is—” (76). Paul cuts her off, and she carries him up to bed. Forgotten, Linda decides to glimpse the two of them from a tree outside Paul’s window. The sight of Paul curled up in his mother’s arms, Patra tenderly kissing him, is “breathtaking” to Linda (77).