In the aftermath of the storm, Dan’s family lives at his grandparent’s farm together. The Darlingtons are forced to split up. Arthur comes to live on the farm, while Stacey lives with her friend Evelyn. Ronnie Vae goes to stay with cousins in California. Some nights on the farm, Dan and Arthur put their mattresses outside and sleep “under the stars” (144). Through insurance and government loans, the Hatch house is going to be rebuilt on the original foundation. Aunt Goldie decided not to rebuild and to instead move into an apartment closer to town. She was trapped in Meves Bowl and was unable to remember much at first. She found herself in a hotel room a few days later with no purse or extra clothing. She tried to get in touch with everyone, but an operator told her the area was “sealed off” (145). Several days later, someone from the Red Cross was able to drive her to the farm. As Aunt Goldie slept and recovered from her ordeal, she remembered a trucker driving her to the hotel, which was 150 miles away.

For the next few weeks, everyone was talking about “Black Tuesday” (146), as the day became known.