The Great Alone

Leni’s father tells her he’ll keep her safe as he drops her off at school. Once he leaves, Matthew suggests they skip school and take the ferry into Homer. Riding the ferry with Matthew, Leni feels free from the worry that constantly plagues her and finally feels like an ordinary teen. Matthew tells her he got into the University of Alaska at Anchorage (UAA) and asks her to come with him. Leni feels trapped by her circumstances, her lack of money, and her dad’s volatility. She can’t explain to Matthew how much her fear of her father structures her life. At Homer with Matthew, Leni has a wonderful day but knows it can’t last because “[f]amilies and the future were fragile” (227).

At home after, Leni’s conflicted feelings increasingly distract her to the point that Large Marge cautions her about Matthew again. Matthew senses  Leni’s distress and goes to see her at her cabin, where Ernt confronts him. After Matthew leaves, Cora comforts Leni but reminds her that Leni’s relationship with Matthew is dangerous. One day when Matthew isn’t at school, Leni fills in as a substitute teacher. He meets her after and takes her to a secluded place where he asks to kiss her.