Chapter 18 Summary

Joe and Sara walk for more than an hour, calling for Charlie, who may not be able to hear them. Joe offers to stop and rest for a while, but Sara wants to continue. Sara realizes what time it is and thinks about how she and Charlie should be at that moment watching game shows or an old movie on the television. Sara feels as though she is moving slower and slower, like a slow race she once won.

Joe and Sara reach a dirt hill created by strip mining. Joe says they should climb to the top so they can see the entire valley down below. Sara is concerned that she will not make it, but Joe encourages and helps her. Sara compares his words of encouragement to those of the dentist, telling her they are almost there when in reality there...