Summary

In Chapter 17, it is the Fourth of July. Lorraine and Alice walk to the high school football field to watch fireworks and celebrate Independence Day with other Holt residents. Lorraine and Alice sit with Willa and Alene. The announcer for the evening urges all military service members, active and veteran, to stand while the crowd applauds for them. One young man in particular is applauded, as he is about to ship out. As the fireworks begin, Alice tells Lorraine she wishes her mother could have seen them.

In Chapter 18, the novel shifts back in time forty years. Dad is worried what will happen to Tanya and her children now that Clayton is dead. He drives to Denver to see her. He gives her some cash and a check to help with her expenses. Dad helps the woman out for another two years until she...