Seven weeks after Jesse’s first call, he is cleared to come home. In that time, Emma’s communication with him has been limited; she gets most of her information from Jesse’s mother Francine, while Jesse receives medical attention. The morning before Jesse’s return, Emma is contacted by a reporter writing a piece about Jesse; Emma declines to comment. She and Sam talk about her feelings. Despite being overwhelmed, Emma knows she loves Sam. Sam asks Emma to promise him that she won’t stay if she realizes she actually wants to be with Jesse.

On the day that Jesse returns, Sam leaves home in the morning without saying goodbye to Emma. Emma heads to work at Blair Books, reflecting on how it is “the one thing in [her] life right now that [she is] unequivocally proud of” (143). At work, she sees an email from her mother, with a link to the article about Jesse. It details how he went missing three-and-a-half years ago and was presumed dead, but had been stranded on an islet in the ocean. He was finally picked up by a ship seven weeks ago. The article includes a comment from Jesse’s parents on how relieved they are at his return; the piece also notes how Emma had no comment.