The Sea in Winter

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

The story opens with Maisie Cannon at school, on the last day before winter break. She is reluctant to go to the classroom and is late. As she enters, she sees her classmates journaling. Minutes later, she opens her own notebook to write. The teacher’s writing prompt is the word “sanctuary.” Maisie starts writing about ballet, including the peace and happiness it once offered her.

The teacher wishes the students a nice winter break. As the children leave, she calls Maisie forward and asks her how her knee is. She then states that she must report Maisie’s delayed arrival. She also kindly prompts the girl to arrive earlier in class in order to avoid detention. Maisie understands. The teacher reminds Maisie to seek support from either her or the school counselors if anything troubles her. Maisie responds positively but does not want to talk to anyone.

Feeling “frazzled and exhausted” (7), Maisie walks through the crowd of students and passes by the library, recalling her time there when she still had crutches. On the way to the bus station, she avoids talking to anyone.