Contents
Part Two
Overview
Klara settles into Josie’s rural home, learning household rhythms and the importance of the Sun’s “nourishment.” She meets Rick, whose bond with Josie is deep but threatened by her peers. At Josie’s interaction meeting, Rick is mocked and Klara is tested, exposing social hierarchies. A planned trip to Morgan’s Falls goes ahead without a suddenly unwell Josie; the Mother has Klara imitate Josie, revealing grief over Sal and straining Klara–Josie trust.
Summary
Klara acclimates to Josie’s house, learning the shifting kitchen layout and the centrality of the Island. She manages sunlight for Josie’s comfort and navigates Melania Housekeeper’s hostility to remain present at crucial morning coffees with the Mother. Evenings, Klara and Josie watch sunsets, discuss Mr McBain’s barn, and Josie introduces the idea of Rick, her lifelong neighbor and intended future partner.
Outside for the first time, Klara meets Rick atop a mound as he flies machine birds. Josie presses him to attend her upcoming interaction meeting as part of their shared plan. Later, over supper, the Mother cautiously approves Rick’s attendance.
At the meeting, adults greet Rick warily, hinting he is “unlifted.” Among the teens, Rick is politely interrogated, then mocked; Danny and others test boundaries with Klara, even proposing to throw her. When Danny’s pocket toy is exposed, tensions spike until adults withdraw. The group goes outside, leaving Klara and Rick to reflect on Josie’s social “changes” and their plan to resist peer pressures. Klara offers to help remove obstacles.
Weeks later, after a health scare judged minor, the Mother promises a Sunday trip to Morgan’s Falls, including Klara. On departure day, the Mother perceives Josie is ill and cancels her participation. Despite Josie’s sadness, the Mother takes Klara alone.
At the falls, amid AFs and families, the Mother probes memories of Sal and asks Klara to be “Josie,” guiding posture, movement, and speech. The imitation briefly comforts and agitates the Mother, revealing grief and fear. She abruptly ends it, shows Klara the waterfall, and drives home in silence broken by talk of hope for Josie.
Back home, Josie, sketching, is cool toward Klara, who senses a new distance caused by the outing and her imitation at the falls.
Who Appears
- KlaraAF narrator; adapts to the house, attends meeting, visits Morgan’s Falls, imitates Josie at the Mother’s request.
- JosieIll but spirited teen; hosts an interaction meeting, pressures Rick to attend, then falls ill and grows distant afterward.
- The Mother (Chrissie)Josie’s tense, caring mother; protective, grief-stricken over Sal; takes Klara to the falls and prompts the imitation.
- Melania HousekeeperStrict housekeeper; suspicious of Klara, gatekeeps outings, assists Josie and resists unnecessary risks.
- RickJosie’s neighbor and best friend; uneasy among lifted peers, defuses Danny, discusses their shared future plan.
- Marsha (long-armed girl)Guest teen who tests Klara with tasks and mediates group tone during the meeting.
- MissyMarsha’s sister; offers Rick a chocolate and joins in awkward questioning.
- DannyBoastful guest boy; manhandles Klara, is challenged by Rick over a pocket toy.
- ScrubGuest boy urging rough tests on Klara; part of the taunting group.
- SaraIntervening adult who breaks rules to defend Danny before being led away.
- Dr RyanDoctor who examines Josie after a scare and reassures the family.
- Professor HelmRemote tutor; frustrating lesson precedes Klara’s first outing.