Jamie's illness caused stress and anxiety for his whole family.

Ana and Jamie's mother was not accustomed to driving in the city.

Ana and Jamie's father did not live with them.

Jamie died from his illness.

Ana and Jamie's favorite food

the strength to overcome a serious illness

the love that connects Jamie, Ana, and Jason

celebrating major family events, such as birthdays

It explains why Jason brings strawberries to the nursing home and leads to the story's climax as he confronts his mother's memory

It reveals the pain that Jason feels over the loss of his uncle and helps explain his reluctance to visit his mother at the nursing home.

It tells readers how the conflict involving Jamie's illness was resolved and shows readers what is really happening in Ana's present life.

It creates a feeling of suspense becuase readers are unsure which version of reality - Ana's or Jason's - is correct.

The omniscient third-person narrator first describes Ana's perceptions and then Jason's, creating a tone of compassion for both characters.

The limited third-person narrator shows how Jason suffers as a result of his mother's illness, creating a critical tone towards the medical profession.

The omniscient third-person narrator reveals Ana's and Jason's feelings but not the nurse's, creating a critical tone toward the medical profession.

The limited thhrid-person narrator presents a rich picture of ana's inner world and the happiness it brings her, creating a tone of doubt about the value of normal perceptions.

he remembers that his mother has arranged for them to have chocolate cake with cinnamon.

he knows that Jamie is not really dead, and he looks forward to sharing this news with Ana.

he feels hopeful that Ana will overcome her Alzheimer's disease.

he realizes that his mother's memory loss has eased her suffering over Jamie's death.

A woman with Alzheimer's believes she is preparing a birthday celebration for her brother, who died many years ago. Instead, her son visits her. His first impulse is to feel sad, but then he sees that she is filled with love and happiness despite her memory loss.

A man visits his mother, who has Alzheimer's disease, in a nursing home. He is frustrated that she confuses him with her younger brother, who died many years ago.

A girl prepares a birthday celebration for her little brother to whom she is very close. As she wraps gifts and ensures that his favorite foods are laid out, she recalls some of her fondest memories of playing, reading, and shopping with her brother.

A mother and son have two very different perceptions of the same event.

She thinks it is a birthday party, while he thinks it is a reminder of a long-lost past. Finally, he decides to enjoy their time together, since she seems happy.