Summary

In Chapter 8, the Earthbridge visitors say goodbye "to the Hula painted frog," another creature that has gone extinct (265). Ever since hearing the report about the California fire, Alison has trouble feeling "in rhythm with everyone else" (266). One day, she asks the director, Linden, if she has "any update on the Palo Comado wildfire" (269). Linden makes an unemotional remark. Alison gets upset. Linden says that these disasters are unrelated to the individual.

Alison calls Patrick. Cassidy picks up. She explains that Patrick is not himself and tells her to get him a ticket home. Alison can hear Patrick talking, as if he is a character in one of his novels (274). Cassidy tells Alison to hurry because the fire is worsening.

At the local library, Alison buys Patrick’s ticket. She thinks about their marriage, and its evolution over the years. She again recalls the...