Summary

In Part Four, Chapter 20, on the morning of Brettigan's birthday, Alma and Brettigan lay in bed. Alma thought about fear. Then she told Brettigan she wanted him to hire Ludlow "to find Timothy" (194). She was convinced they knew each other. Although reluctant, Brettigan agreed.

After breakfast with Brettigan, Alma felt "a moment of contentment" (195). Once Brettigan was gone, Alma started thinking about the man from the train. She realized that no one understood "a mother's love," and that it was therefore okay for her to take the man's advice (197). She set about covering the mirrors and cutting her eyelashes. After hearing that her neighbor’s house was on fire a while later, Alma felt that someone or something "loved her for no reason at all" (198).

In Chapter 21, Brettigan raced "toward the headquarters of the Sun Collective" (199). In a dream the night before, he...