Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Poor little Louie is having an super hard time coping with Janet's death. In fact, he may be struggling more than anyone else in their family because he just doesn't understand why she won't return. He's too young to wrap his head around the permanence of death, and his belief in the possibility of his mom's return is most evident when he puts his faith in a "magic wand."
Louie goes to a show where a magician hands him a magic wand and says that it grants wishes. He decides to save the wish for his birthday because the magic will be stronger then (according to his little kid logic), and is devastated when the wand doesn't deliver on its promise:
It was the wand. She told him he should save it for his birthday. She told him if he was really good he might get his wish.
There was no need to ask what he'd wished for. (32.139-140)
The wand represents Louie's youth—and the way his mother's death comes to crush him emotionally over and over again. He doesn't just lose her once; he continues to lose her every time he's forced to confront that she won't be coming back again. Poor kid.