Before saying goodbye at the Kennedy Airport, Ellie and her mother Mercedes discuss what Mercedes should tell their family about Ellie’s employment decisions when she returns to Uruguay. Ellie says that she has yet to make up her mind, and Mercedes calls her indecisiveness an American sickness; however, she affectionately admits that Ellie is the same as ever. During the drive back from the airport, Ellie considers her options again, including which projects to dedicate her time to and whether she wants to be a literary historian or a political historian. Along the way, she runs into a boy named Sandy Lands, one of her students, and as she gives him a ride, they talk about Sandy’s history of protesting with other students. Ellie promises to defend Sandy to the disciplinary committee if he is willing to apologize for his actions. Ellie then returns home to her ten-year-old son Jason. Also waiting at home is a letter from Ellie’s sister Clara, which reveals that Pedro, a graduate student Ellie once housed and slept with, is dead. Ellie is shocked and heart-broken, and Jason tries to comfort her. Ellie questions what she is doing in America, so far from her family, and she distracts herself by preparing dinner. For a moment, Jason reminds Ellie of Sandy, and Ellie feels embarrassed at being distracted from her grief. She makes the sign of the cross with her hands.