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Delicate Soul Robertson, also known as Caty, has been raised by her father, Roy. At nineteen years old, Caty is a firefighter and an EMT at the Berkeley Fire Department. There is one piece missing in her life, though—her mother, Leonore Marie Whitaker. Caty never met her as she left her when she was a baby. She never knew why she left her and her dad, nor does she know where she is now. She has reached out to family members, but no one seems to know. All she has are the memories her dad has with her mother. He would talk to her about her mother's moments they shared. He also does not know where she is. Sometimes, Caty feels like her dad is not telling her the whole truth about her mother. Caty has decided to take charge and to look for her mother herself.
In this work, Kemanis explores themes of single parenthood and the quest for identity. She emphasizes the importance of children seeking out their missing parent, particularly when they have been raised by only one. Kemanis examines the mother-daughter relationship in scenarios where the mother is absent, especially when the daughter has never met her. This absence often leaves the daughter feeling as though a part of her is missing, leading her to question why her mother abandoned her without a clear explanation. Additionally, Kemanis connects the search for the absent mother to the search for identity. For instance, she describes Caty's internal struggles regarding her mother's absence and her deep desire to learn her mother's story, as Caty feels that a vital part of her identity remains incomplete without this knowledge. Readers, especially those who have faced similar challenges in their own lives, will likely appreciate this story.
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