The Great Alone

It is 1978, and Leni is 17, now fully habituated to Alaska. She drives her snow machine to where she hunts. As she returns home with her kill, she thinks of her dad coming back next month with apprehension: “Everything was easier and more relaxed in his absence” (172). At the Allbrights’ property, there are animals, a garden, and even a boat thanks to the money Ernt sent from the pipeline. He is still erratic and volatile but controls himself knowing that Large Marge and Tom are keeping an eye on him. Both are playing cards at the Allbrights’ cabin when Ernt returns early, telling them he lost his job. Tom leaves, but Large Marge stays.

Kaneq has changed over the years due to the arrival of tourists, which the Allbrights see from their bay. Later, Leni and her family go to the saloon for a town meeting called by Tom. Leni is nervous, knowing that her father hates tourists and Tom. At the saloon, the Allbrights mingle with their friends. Tom starts the meeting announcing he wants to renovate the saloon and reopen an inn. Ernt adamantly objects. Tom convinces the town to support the motion and tells Ernt to let it go.