Summary

In Chapter 20, “1980,” 10 days after Pop gets arrested and the family returns to Swift River, Pop disappears. Diamond blames herself. Ma borrows Grandma’s car, and they speed around in search of him. First, they go to the Campbells, but Mindy forces them to leave. Afterward, they drive to the woods and run through the trees shouting for Pop. At the old house where Pop used to live with Clara and Rob Sr., Ma begs Pop to come back, insisting she did not mean it when she said she could live without him. They get no response and pray to Aunt Clara for Pop’s safety. Back in the car, Ma insists they keep driving in search of Pop. Then, Ma is badly injured when they hit a deer.

In Chapter 21, “1987,” Shelly picks up Diamond to go driving. She feels uncomfortable when she realizes...