A Thousand Broken Pieces

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness, mental illness, death, and death by suicide.

Thirteen-year-old Savannah Litchfield stands with her younger sister, Ida, as their family says goodbye to her older sister, Poppy. Poppy’s boyfriend, Rune, kisses Poppy’s hands and face, and Savannah’s mother urges Savannah and Ida to say their goodbyes. Savannah’s aunt, DeeDee, stands to the side, holding herself. Ida encourages Savannah to be strong, and Ida tells Poppy that she loves her. Poppy tries to comfort Savannah, assuring her that they will meet again and that she is ready to die. As Savannah memorizes Poppy’s face, her mother and Ida must hold Savannah upright. Rune kisses Poppy one last time, and Poppy dies. Rune sprints from the room, and Savannah sees how her whole family is collapsing in tears and sobs. Savannah looks at Poppy’s body and holds Poppy’s hand. Savannah feels like a part of her died with Poppy, and she does not think that she will ever get it back.

Savannah is now 17 and still living in Blossom Grove, Georgia, with her family. Rob, a therapist at Savannah’s therapy center, asks her to speak in a group therapy session.