Atlas reflects on how he came to own Bib’s after leaving the military. He bought the restaurant partly because of the preserved tree in its dining room, which reminded him of Lily, then later opened Corrigan’s to prove he could build something from nothing. Because Bib’s is less secure and has been the easier target, Atlas waits there overnight, hoping the vandal will return.

While hiding near the dumpster, Atlas reads Lily’s old journal and realizes how deeply his departure for the military hurt her. Lily’s final entry recounts their last night together as teenagers: Atlas promised he would find Lily when his life was good enough, gave Lily a Boston magnet, told Lily he loved her, and then was violently attacked by Lily’s father after being discovered in Lily’s room.

The journal leaves Atlas overwhelmed by grief, anger, love, and regret. Atlas sees that Lily had understood and could have helped carry more of his pain than he allowed at the time. The experience makes Atlas want to talk with Lily in person, even though they are trying to move slowly.

Atlas then spots the hooded vandal approaching Bib’s. Atlas recognizes the child from the security footage and becomes increasingly sure the boy is Josh, Atlas’s newly discovered half brother. Rather than threaten Josh, Atlas calmly interrupts, takes the spray paint, and shows Josh how to hold it properly.

Atlas tells Josh he did not know Josh existed until that day, but Josh doubts him because Sutton told Josh that Atlas left because he did not want a brother. Atlas brings Josh inside, makes Josh a grilled cheese, and learns Josh has run away after fighting with Sutton, is not currently in school, and has been surviving wherever he can stay.

When Josh challenges Atlas by saying Atlas knows about him now, Atlas decides to bring Josh home. Atlas admits he does not yet know whether he will tell Sutton where Josh is, but he refuses to let Josh disappear again. By the time they reach Atlas’s car, Atlas already feels fiercely protective of Josh.