Klara and the Sun

Eleven days after their trip to the city, Josie begins to lose her strength again. Dr. Ryan comes every day, and Rick visits often, though Josie is too tired to draw pictures. One day, Klara asks Rick if he will bring her to Mr. McBain’s barn again and asks “if the love between Rick and Josie is genuine, if it’s a true and lasting one” (266). Rick says it is. He carries Klara to the barn, and Klara asks him to wait outside again. She pleads again with the sun, “asking he accept that Josie herself is completely innocent” (269). She has flashbacks of the bull at Morgan’s Falls, conversations between Chrissy and Paul, and her sabotage of the Cootings Machine. She appeals to the “strong and lasting” love between Rick and Josie, “just like that of Coffee Cup Lady and Raincoat Man” (271). She sees the sun reflecting on a piece of glass as it sets and hopes her appeal will be enough.

Over the next few days, Klara hears Chrissy and Dr. Ryan argue about whether Josie should go to the hospital.