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Ness is the first generation of the family born into slavery, almost completely cut off from her Ghanaian roots. Her only inheritance from Esi is stories and parts of an Asante song she does not know the meaning of. She also learns from Esi the importance of not trying to cover up or sugarcoat her harsh-lived reality. She refuses to try to make Pinky feel better because she believes Pinky shouldn’t have to put on a brave face or even speak simply to make others more comfortable. Her rejection of TimTam is partially out of grief over losing Sam, but also seems to be a tacit acknowledgement that under slavery there is no true chance for romance because a family can always be divided. Even though the other slaves reassure Ness that the plantation owner Tom Allan won’t punish her, the chapter ends with Ness casting an uneasy gaze at him, knowing that even a kind master is still a slaver whose power relies on humiliation and domination. Her refusal to find positivity in any aspect of slavery leads Ness to bravely sacrifice her own freedom to save Kojo. She understands that no child can grow and flourish under slavery, and therefore prioritizes his freedom over keeping him with her.

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