Summary

In Chapter 19, Sophia remembers the summer that was never referred to by year, but rather as the summer of the great storm. It happened on a weekend when the radio had predicted gentle but variable winds, so all of the boats were rigged for good weather. For years, coastal people had talked about the storm and the way they clung to the rocks to avoid being swept out into the gulf. On that day, Grandmother had prepared a picnic for the family. They row out to North Grayskerry and Grandmother wants to nap while Sophia is full of energy to go swimming. Sophia prays for something exciting to happen right before the storm begins to brew. She looks “out to sea and saw the horizon turn black. The blackness spread, and the water shivered in dread and expectation. It came closer. The wind...