Summary

Chapter Nine begins as Loreda leans out her window and screams, angry about Stella moving. She hears birds squawk and yells, “Fly away you idiot birds. Can’t you tell we’re dying here?” (100). She walks outside and finds her father. She talks to him about leaving, and reminds him of what he says - “This is America, where anything is possible” (101). Loreda’s Mom interrupts them and tells them both it is time for bed. Loreda is angry with her mother and reminds her dad they could leave as they walk back to the house.

The perspective changes to Elsa as she wakes alone again, before dawn, realizing Rafe slept in the barn. In the kitchen Rose is working, and they start to prepare food together. Elsa goes outside to bring coffee to Rafe and finds him in the family...