Ned narrates in 1981-1982.

Ned waits at the bar for Mariel while she finishes up work. Betty quizzes him about his life and interest in Mariel. He realizes Betty fears Mariel will move away to be with Ned—something Ned hopes will happen.

At the fireworks, Mariel and Ned lie on a blanket with Mariel’s friends Zach and Alli, Ned enjoying lightly touching her arm with his. When the fireworks end, he kisses her, though he dislikes doing so outside.

They return to Mariel’s cabin, which surprises Ned with its smallness. He sifts through her record collection, liking her even more for what he finds. He thinks that his mom, who prefers simple things, would like the place more than his father, who is always striving for more. Ned enjoys a long evening of kissing Mariel. He wakes late the next morning and listens to Carla’s teasing about his night while he watches his parents sail on the lake.

He asks Carla to retrieve him from Bear Jaw a day later so he can spend more time with Mariel; she agrees to the nine-hour round trip only after Ned promises to owe her a favor. Ned, despite his recent promotion, asks Edward to use some of his vacation time to stay in Bear Jaw longer.