Contents
The Ending
Overview
Via unexpectedly performs as Emily in Our Town and, alongside Justin, earns a standing ovation. Backstage celebration overwhelms August, who momentarily loses sight of his parents and struggles with his hearing aids’ volume. Miranda reappears, warmly greeting and steadying August, hinting at reconnection with Via’s family.
Summary
The chapter opens with the emotional finale of Our Town, as Via, playing Emily, delivers a moving farewell that brings real tears to her eyes and the audience. The performance culminates in a standing ovation, which astonishes August and makes him imagine how it would feel to be applauded like that.
After the curtain, August, Mom, and Dad push backstage through congratulatory crowds. Mom and Dad exuberantly praise Via and Justin. Via explains that Miranda got sick just before the show, forcing her to step in without announcement. August’s question about Miranda goes unheard amid the excitement.
Mr. Davenport arrives, praises Via and Justin, and meets Via’s parents. When Mr. Davenport notices August, he freezes awkwardly before Justin redirects him. As the crush intensifies, August becomes disoriented by noise and bumping bodies, accidentally turns up his hearing aids, and loses sight of his family.
Growing dizzy and anxious, August calls for Via and Mom while navigating a wall of adults. Suddenly, Miranda lifts him from behind, greets him as “Major Tom,” and hugs him. August is relieved and delighted, ending the scene embraced by Miranda’s unexpected kindness.
Who Appears
- August (Auggie) PullmanNarrator; marvels at Via’s performance, is overwhelmed backstage, loses his family in the crowd, and is comforted by Miranda.
- Via (Olivia) PullmanSteps in as Emily after Miranda gets sick, delivers a moving performance, and receives a standing ovation.
- Mom (Isabel Pullman)Beams with pride and becomes emotional while congratulating Via and Justin after the performance.
- Dad (Nate Pullman)Proudly cheers, shouts ‘Bravo!,’ and congratulates Via and Justin backstage.
- JustinVia’s boyfriend; co-lead in the play, praised for his performance, and steers Mr. Davenport away after he freezes at seeing August.
- Mr. DavenportThe theater teacher; congratulates Via and Justin, briefly freezes upon noticing August.
- MirandaOriginal Emily who got sick; later finds August backstage, greets him as ‘Major Tom,’ and hugs him.