As readers, we are able to see the different perspectives of the effects of physical distance that come with immigration. For example, when Danticat's parents first left for the United States, Danticat doesn't remember much. However, what she remembers are the stories her half-sister, Marie Micheline, told her about her father when they were gone. He told her how the year before he left his father had bought Danticat a small packet of butter biscuits. She would take these cookies home to Danticat and her face would light up. She didn't particularly like the cookies, so she would hand them back to her father and happily pop them directly into his mouth. I think this demonstrates the acute nostalgia that develops in children from not growing up with their parents. Children like Danticat love hearing these types of stories because they can embellish them as much as they want. In this way, they ensure that they are truly loved by their parents who have passed away. Another example of how physical distance effects the author's life is through her uncle Joseph. Even though she lived half her life in the United States, Uncle Joseph still has a special place in her heart because he raised her in Haiti when her father and mother moved to the United States. When his uncle gets stuck in customs at Miami Airport and goes to Krome Prison, Danticat is distraught. He understands the severity of the racism and cruelty suffered by Krome's prisoners. Because she loves her uncle like a father, she defeats Danticat knowing that she is physically close to the prison but can do nothing to help him. When Uncle Joseph dies in Krome's care, Danticat is devastated by the news. She doesn't know how to face herself