Summary

The town gathered in a church, determined "to solve the tragedy of William's death" (183). Reverend Brown spoke, insisting that God would not "turn His back" on them (183). He spoke of belief, hope, fear, and loneliness. Reverend Brown's stories resonated with Soot, and made him wonder "if stories were something that he might be good at one day" (184). The people in attendance talked and shared stories. They agreed that the "law was always going to fail them" (185). They understood that their lives had become based on "anger, and fear, and sadness" (186). Afterwards, Paul showed Soot the pistol in his glove compartment. He said it was the only thing that others would respect (186).

When the narrator leaves Kelly, he tries to forget her by returning to his routines. Yet his imagination will not sit still. The next time he is on a plane, his imagination...