Hollis remembers that this drawing is still “folded carefully in my backpack” (97). It shows Izzy bringing out a cake that reads: “WELCOME TO THE FAMILY, HOLLY” (97). Steven is happy because Hollis has drawn a catalogue of animal tracks for him, though when he teases Hollis, the Old Man is annoyed with him, which Hollis worries has been happening all week. Earlier, she directly asked Steven if it’s her fault they have been fighting, but he brushed it off and handed her a holly branch. As they prepare to eat the cake, Steven mentions they might walk up the mountain soon, which again makes the Old Man annoyed. Hollis feels guilty, partly for making them argue again and also because she really wants to go up the mountain alone to symbolically say goodbye to the old Hollis.

Hollis and Josie settle into the Branches’ house. Hollis spends time exploring the whole place, and she and Josie dance joyfully in the snow outside, though they have to come back inside when Josie gets disoriented and forgets why they aren’t at home.

The next morning, Hollis hears a buzzing noise outdoors that sounds a bit like a faraway snowmobile.