Part 1: Chapters 5-9 Summary

Herb and Vera Smith finally return home to Pownal. As Sarah had predicted, the hospital bills quickly eat through their savings to the point where Herb has to apply for emergency disaster assistance. Taking charity, as Herb sees it, ages the man more than Johnny's accident. Vera falls deeper into a religious frenzy, becoming an extreme zealot. The woman becomes involved with all kinds of cultish figures and outrageous beliefs and activities. Through it all, Vera insists that one of the groups will help to cure Johnny and that these pen pals are her only link to hope for Johnny's recovery. Herb must intervene and stop Vera from spending what little money they have left on potions and amulets.

Sarah attempts to put her life back together. Herb stays in close contact with Sarah and confides that Vera is...