Summary

The next page is titled "Aftermath" and includes a photo from the New London school explosion. The next section is titled Thursday, March 18, 1937, 3:25 P.M. (This section continues for several days beginning in the moments after the explosion.) Beto hears screams and has trouble opening his eyes. He remembers “being punched in the stomach. Then a roar” (288). Beto forces his eye open and realizes Wash is carrying him. He knows a horrible fact. When he regains consciousness again, Naomi and Wash are talking. Beto realizes the second important truth of this day – that Naomi and Wash belong to each other, and neither belongs to Beto. The perspective changes to Naomi who rocks Beto. She sees some teachers and students stumbling around as PTA moms call the names of their children. Men from the oilfields begin to arrive rushing into the school and carrying...