Chapter 23 Summary

In Chapter 23, Julia records that most people found their lives worse because of the slowing but that Michaela and her mother were two people whose lives improved during this period. Michaela's mother has a rich new boyfriend and they have moved into his house. She has a party which Julia is invited to attend. When she first arrives, Michaela's mother offers to read her horoscope. She seems disturbed by what she reads or her chart but tells Julia not to worry, just to be careful for awhile. Another boy comes in the house, Kai, a Hawaiian whom Julia knows from school.

When her parents leave, Michaela suggests they get in the Jacuzzi. Josh steals some beer from the safe room where his father has stored canned food and supplies in case of an emergency. In fact, the entire house has been retrofitted to...