The Great Alone

The police officers process Leni and lock her in jail with her son. When Tom comes, she introduces him to his grandson and sees “how it cracked him open” (411). Leni leaves MJ in Tom’s care while she spends the day in jail. Her lawyer comes by after Tom leaves with MJ and seems in a hurry. Large Marge bursts into the courtroom when Leni is present and insists the prosecutor drop the charges. Before the judge can respond, the governor calls and makes the request himself. As Leni leaves with Large Marge, she finds out Tom was the one who contacted the governor.

Large Marge then takes Leni to the Walker homestead. The scenic view moves Leni, and she sees how much Kaneq has grown. She meets Tom and his new wife at his home and asks to see Matthew. Large Marge and Tom’s wife take MJ while Tom takes her to Matthew. She admits to feeling guilty for leaving Matthew. Tom tries to reassure her but tells her that if she and Cora had come to him, he would have protected them. Tom leads Leni to what used to be Geneva’s cabin. He knocks, tells Leni she should go in, and gives her privacy.