Section 12: Chapter 13 and Twelfth Picture Summary

In chapter thirteen, Hollis dresses warm and goes outside to collect holly branches for decorations after finishing Josie's picture. Going to the shed to retrieve the saw, she is surprised to find Steven's sweater hanging on the doorknob. Once she finishes collecting holly branches, she returns to the house, thinking about what she wants for Christmas as the song plays on the radio. Josie has found pancake mix and applesauce in the cabinet, and they will have apple pancakes and milk for Christmas Eve dinner. As Josie talks about Beatrice while cooking, Hollis can tell she is homesick. After dinner, they are too tired to decorate so they agree to do it in the morning before exchanging gifts. In the morning, Hollis wonders what the Old Man would think about her spending Christmas in his...