Part One, Lost Forever: Chapter Three Summary

In this chapter, Joe has managed to reach the beach in Santa Monica. This is the last place he stops on his way to the cemetery to visit the graves of his family. He comes here to mentally prepare himself for the visit. He has brought a cooler of beer with him and heads for a secluded place away from the crowds. He can sit on the sand, watch the ocean, and drink a few beers in order to steady his nerves. As he sits there, he is approached by two teenage boys. They keep their eyes focused on the ocean as they ask if he is selling anything illegal. He explains he only has beer in his cooler and he is not sharing. They shrug off the refusal. One of the boys...