Summary

Chapter 32 is set on August 1 beginning at 6:30 p.m. Anna lies on her back on her bed. She looks up at the tangle of branches. Once this skylight was clear, but the branches of a birch sapling have grown up and covered it. Elle believes this tangle of branches marks her inability to heal.

Elle realizes how many mistakes she has made because of Conrad’s death. She never thanked Jonas for saving her life. She lied to Peter and kept him at arm’s length because she did not want his forgiveness. Elle feels she is facing an impossible choice. She cannot have Jonas and feels she does not deserve to have Peter.

At 6:45 p.m. Elle returns to the camp from the end of the summer beach party to retrieve a red onion that Wallace forgot. In the bedroom, Elle...