96 Miles

With 18 miles left for the day, the group stops to boil the toilet water and take a break. Cleverly pitches in, gathering the materials John needs to start a fire while Will and Stew rest. Before long, they all decide to form a club as kids who have drunk toilet water. Stew comes up with the name “the Battle Born” for the club, explaining that their dad uses the phrase often (116). It’s the Nevada state motto, and it makes John think of the flag in his bedroom. He expects to be short of breath again, but this time is different; he feels hopeful and a tad emotional. He’s also glad to hear a little bit of the old Stewart in Stew’s voice.

While the rest of the group nap, John finishes boiling the water and aerates it, or introduces air, to speed up the cooling process and add oxygen to the water for taste. He wakes the group, and they continue walking; by this time it’s afternoon. Will suggests that once at Brighton Ranch, they ride horses back to their house in Las Vegas. Stewart starts laughing uncontrollably; he is soon is short of breath and collapses into John’s arms.