Chapters 6, 7 and 8 Summary

In Chapter 6, Julia's family is one of the few that stays in California. Julia and her mother drive out to her grandfather's house to check on him. There are long lines at the gas stations. People roam the streets testifying that the end of the world is coming. Julia's grandfather lives on a one-acre plot of farmland that he refuses to sell even though the land is surrounded by a lush developed community. Julia's grandfather tells them that he believes that the lengthening of the days is a trick by the government to take their minds off the war in the Middle East. Helen's phone rings and she steps outside to talk.

Meanwhile, Julia's grandfather asks her to look around and see if there is anything among his collections of things that she wants. He talks about his time in Alaska...