Why do you think Lil doesn’t ask for help with the orchard, and why do you think Sasha doesn’t offer? Have you ever seen this dynamic play out in your life or in the lives of those around you?

Sasha feels guilty about not helping Lil with the orchard, thinking that if Lil wanted help she’d ask – yet Lil clearly feels overwhelmed. Why do you think Lil doesn’t ask for help, and why do you think Sasha doesn’t offer? Have you ever seen this dynamic play out in your life or in the lives of those around you?

The girls had been given roles to play and both felt strongly about their mother's acceptance and assignment of those roles. As the older child, I took responsibility for dealing with the care and funeral arrangements for my uncle, father, then mother. My younger sibling was fine doing what I asked but didn't take any leadership. In this story Lil played the role of the first born.

Both twins are doing what their mother wanted. Lil does not think to ask for help and Sasha does not offer to help. Also Lil is protecting Sasha.

I think that Lil doesn’t ask because she’s afraid her sister will say, ‘No’. And I think Sasha doesn’t offer because she’s afraid her sister will say, ‘No’. They are both resentful of each other and how they think the other thinks. Communication would have helped this relationship a lot, as it would many sibling relationships. But if they had that type of open, honest relationship they would be different people and this would have been a very different book.

I feel that their mother chose Lil to stay and help because she felt Lil was the stronger of the 2 daughters and would be able to shoulder the responsibility. I think she knew Sasha was different and had to chase her daughter out to keep her safe.

Lil felt it was her responsibility, and Sasha resented her for being chosen by their mother. Lil, in turn, resented the fact that Sasha had been able to leave the town and have a life outside of the small place where they grew up.

I think the twins were using their strengths just as their mother wanted.

I feel that their mother influenced the girls to specific roles. However I also feel that Lil knows that her sister left the little town in order to be her true self. She likely is also trying to protect Sasha.

I think they both acknowledged in their own way that the orchard was Lils place

I think that although neither one realizes it, Lil is in charge of the orchard while Sasha patrols its outer perimeter (the river, the town, the road, the railroad). They may have each felt they had these roles they couldn't abandon, even though they resented them (especially Lil, and rightly so).

Yes I have seen siblings and even twins take opposing roads in life. After their mother pretty much granted the land to Lil, Sasha felt left out. These girls were both stubborn -Lil needed to ask for help - which she would never do - and Sasha needed to offer her help - which she was not inclined to do.