Summary

In this short segment, which takes place mere months after the New Year's Eve celebration, Barrett, Tyler, and Liz have boarded a Staten Island ferry to scatter Beth's ashes. Tyler wrestles with guilt over the complicated feelings he had had about her short recovery, and the lid on the canister holding Beth's ashes is stubbornly refusing to budge. The three finally succeed in scattering her ashes over the water, then lapse into a tense silence and reserve. All three are devastated in their own way and don't know how to process the loss or meaningfully connect with one another.

Analysis

This segment is an important turning point in the novel. Now that Beth, who has deep connections to brothers Barrett and Tyler and friend Liz, has lost her battle with cancer, there will clearly be grief, adjustments and decisions to be...