During the vigil, Lily finds and sends a message to which relative?

• A. Lily's mom.
• B. Lily's sister.
• C. Lily's grandmother.
• D. Lily's aunt.

Answer: (A)

Lily’s pull toward her mother drives this moment. In the story, Lily carries a deep, unresolved longing for Deborah Fontanel, the mother she barely had and whose memory influences her sense of belonging and safety. During the vigil, that ache surfaces in a tangible action: she finds a way to reach out and send a message to her mom. This choice shows how central maternal connection is to Lily’s understanding of family and herself, especially in a time of communal mourning when everyone else is absorbed in present losses.

The other relatives—sister, grandmother, aunt—aren’t the focus of this moment. It’s Lily reaching for the mother she’s missed, which is why the message goes to her mom rather than to any other relative.