Summary

Chapter 27

Peter is given permission to return to Earth. He finds out that Grainger is going as well. She has been placed off duty because she holed up in her room drinking. Peter drives out with Flores and Tuska, who are responsible for delivering the medicine now. The Oasans are surprised to see Peter again, having believed him dead. Only Lover One had believed Peter might still be alive. Throughout the trip, Peter keeps thinking back to Bea, trying to hold onto his memories of her. He is happy to see that the Oasans seem to like Flores. He goes to his church and is even happier to see that about fifty Oasans have gathered in the church, even without him there as a pastor.

He speaks to them in their own native tongue, until he has to use the word for forgiveness...