Waiting for Auri’s return, I slept fitfully. Nana and Pua were up most of the night, conferring with various women who were put in charge of groups preparing for the walk ahead. Auri never showed.

Just before dawn Toci gently shook my shoulder. Bleary-eyed and wobbly from too little sleep, I dressed in my original outfit - jeans and a sweatshirt and pulled on Isobeau’s boots. I guess they were my boots now, since it looked like she wouldn’t be giving back my sneakers. Clothes give...