Summary

Everything has its shrine. The church was Jack’s hometown shrine. The baseball diamond was his school’s shrine. For Morton Hill Academy, the shrine is the stone boathouse. The Nook as it’s called is the oldest building on campus. A gleaming boat called The Maine holds the highest place of honor in the Nook. He relates more to the shabby Sweetie Pie than the elegant ship.

Early gives Jack some pointers for improving his rowing skills. Jack tells Early he doesn’t need his help. Early replies that that was exactly what Pi said when he set out on his journey. Jack is stunned when Early calls him, “Jackie.” His mother was the only one who called him that. Early tells him that if he didn’t like the Sweetie Pie to take it apart and make it right – echoing what...