Summary

Chapter 19 is set in February 1989 in London. Elle is mugged. She gives the man her money, but he demands her ring as well. He hits her when she refuses to give it to him. She thinks she deserved that hit.

In 1983 in the Back Woods, it takes three days for Conrad’s body to wash up on the shore. Jonas and Elle make a blood oath not to tell anyone what happened. Jonas gives Elle a ring with a green glass stone and says that he loves her.

The next summer Jonas does not return to the woods. He writes Elle and tells her things are better that way.

The narration returns to 1989. Elle is handing the man the ring when Peter, whom Elle does not yet know, hits the mugger on the head with a tire iron. Peter introduces himself and...