Chapter 13: Waiting for Lech 1988-1989 Summary

Dillon

The coalminers wage a strike against the International Oil Corp that bought out American Coal. Jackie writes editorials about it. Dillon and Jackie are at the picket line and a guard orders Jackie to get away even though she tells him she is a member of the press. The strike looks to be one that will last a very long time. Someone puts up a sign that reads "Poland, West Virginia." Dillon can see that someday any semblance of the life and work that he has known will vanish.

Jackie, 1989

Hassel tells Jackie that Lech Walesa is coming to support the strike. As the town is prepping for Walesa's visit, Tom suddenly appears. He can only stay a week. Tom advises Jackie to think about leaving the area because it is dying. Tom confesses...