While Michael and Nicole are out of the house, Beth uses the time alone to straighten up the mess and watch another videotape. This one is from Michael’s birthday party in November 1999. Beth feels envious when she sees that Michael received a computer as a gift and thinks that he was given more than his sisters. Beth also notices that her mother wasn’t interacting well with Brian as she filmed the family. She comes to the conclusion that “[t]here’s nothing typical about this home video tape or how it was filmed. Mom wasn’t capturing the moment. She was studying us” (159).

Beth’s solitude is interrupted when Lucas stops by to invite her to take a walk by the creek. She has no desire to visit the scene of Emma’s death but wants to spend time with Lucas, so she agrees. As they walk, they talk about Laura’s funeral arrangements. Her ashes are to be scattered over the property the following day at sunset. Lucas asks if he and his mother can attend, and Beth consents. Lucas confides that he’s missed being with her. Overcome with emotion, they kiss. Beth thinks, “Although I haven’t kissed him in decades, when our lips touch it feels like everything I’ve ever lost has been safely returned home” (166).