Chapter 12 Summary

In the present, on the beach, Steve is saying he never went back. He asks if Rusty-James did, and Rusty-James says no. Steve says he made up his mind to get out, and he did. He learned that if you want to get somewhere all you have to do is make up your mind to do it and then work until you make it. Rusty-James says it will be nice when he can think of somewhere to go.

Steve offers to buy him a beer, but Rusty-James says he lost his taste for alcohol in the reformatory. Steve is glad to hear it; he was always afraid Rusty-James would end up like his old man. Rusty-James stares out at the ocean, liking the fact that there will always be another wave and that the ocean has always been there and always will be...