Summary

In Chapter 9, Petra and Robert went to the Santa Fe Rockhound State Park the summer before departing earth. Petra being with Robert was at least slightly freer than being with Amy. Robert and Petra followed the rules about rock hunting, carefully seeking out eight pieces of jasper. They discussed that the pieces did not match but complemented each other. They observed two men who drove into the park, used drills and a mineral detector, and left with buckets of rocks. Robert said there were no officials enforcing the rules now. When Petra asked why they had not done the same, Robert says, “that's not who we are” (64). Petra knew the men found turquoise, which was really valuable. Robert remained unwilling to break the rules. Robert said that “what you and I have gathered will be more valuable to me than the Hope Diamond...