Part 3, Chapter 12 Summary

Joel awakens sporadically from wild hallucinations to see a sequence of Miss Amy, Randolph, and Zoo rocking in a chair beside his bed. After a few days of coming in and out of consciousness, Joel awakens relieved to see Randolph at his bedside. Randolph comforts Joel, who is worried that Randolph is mad at Joel for running away. This pattern of sleep and wakefulness continues for weeks as Joel recovers from the illness caught during the rainstorm at the carnival.

Randolph remains steadfastly by Joel's bed and Joel confides to Randolph that he is happy and content to be dependent upon Randolph for the rest of his life. Joel also notices that his physical appearance is taking a more chiseled, manly form with more shrewdness than innocence now.

One day Joel receives a postcard from Idabel, but Joel has lost interest...