Summary

Isabel has moved to the country with her children since she and Dan broke up. She studies the darkness around the house while talking to her children. Robbie died from the coronavirus. Nathan and Violet will scatter his ashes tomorrow. Isabel asks if they have chosen a place to do so.

Nathan is quiet. He blames himself for Robbie’s death. Isabel assures him it is not his fault. However, she knows he is not convinced. Over the past months, she has noticed Nathan changing. She worries that he is struggling. She senses that he is between his past and “his future self” (204).

Chess, Odin, and Garth have come to the house for the scattering, too. Chess plays with Odin while talking to Nathan. Nathan does not mind when she asks how he is doing. He wishes he could express his true feelings...