Summary

As the landfill project on Barren Island neared completion, Barren Shoal experienced significant changes. The grocery store closed, so residents were forced to place orders to be shipped by boat, and as a result they "were told to ask for less" (311). Noah inherited a job at the factory from a man who left the island to live with his daughter's family. He also stopped accompanying Marta to help work with Ray in Brooklyn, opting instead to visit Gray and Lois, a "secret" (313) he kept from everyone else.

The first time she and Ray were alone while sewing bandages, Ray kissed her with "no warning...no nothing" (313). They were soon rejoined by another volunteer, Dolores, which Marta was thankful for, as she "needed time to recover" (314).

Later that week, Marta spied on the boys early in the morning as they sneaked off on a...