Hello Beautiful

When Alice is five years old, Julia tells her that her father died in a car accident. Although she had previously been content with her life, at this point, Alice begins to take an interest in fathers.

One day when she is in third grade, Alice’s teacher calls a meeting with Julia and informs her that Alice scared the class by giving a very graphic presentation on automobile accidents. Julia realizes Alice has also shown fear of taxis. After talking with her, Julia realizes that this preoccupation stems from her father’s supposed death.

In middle school, Alice has a growth spurt. She also begins investigating her mother’s secrets. During her investigation, she goes through Julia’s closet and discovers photographs of Julia and her family. She marvels at how similar the sisters are. She also sees a photo of Sylvie holding a baby and wonders if it’s her. Alice wants to find out more and allay her fears about her father’s death: “If she had more family in her life, [she] would be safer” (268). That night, she asks her mother why she doesn’t keep in touch with her sisters. Julia replies that she talks to Emeline and Cecelia sometimes but that siblings can grow apart when they grow up.