Bag of Bones

The next day, Mike sees a little girl walking up the middle of the highway. Worried that someone will run her over, Mike retrieves the little girl, who explains that she was retaliating against her mother because she refused to take her to the beach for the Fourth of July. A Jeep driven by a woman speeds by, so Mike calls her attention.

Mike is surprised that the driver is younger than he expected. Mike initially thinks that she is the little girl’s older sister, but then he sees the wedding ring on her hand and realizes she is the mother. The woman introduces herself as Mattie. Based on Mattie’s appearance, Mike assumes that she is “trailer-trash.” She confirms that she lives in a trailer nearby. She introduces her child as Kyra, which Mike initially mishears as “Kia,” the name he and Jo would have picked for their daughter. Mattie clarifies that she had meant to take Kyra to the beach that afternoon.

Mattie knows Mike because he is one of her favorite writers. Mattie asks him not to tell anyone what happened because they are going through a rough time as a family. After learning that Mattie’s husband recently died, Mike agrees, though he can’t help pointing out the locals who have already seen them.