Patch drives for seven hours, so tired that his Buick drifts across the road until he opens the window to stay awake. Carrying an old ordinance map covered in his own marks, he studies the country around him and looks into the river, but finds no sign that his search is nearing a hopeful end. His thoughts turn bleak as he admits to himself that he may never find Grace living the life he wants for her. He pulls off Interstate 70 and sleeps fitfully before continuing.

When Patch reaches the first sign for Monta Clare that he recognizes, his heart sinks. He drives past Rosewood Avenue, goes up toward Parade Hill, leaves his truck across the street, and walks to Misty. Patch apologizes for missing the movie and says that something happened, but Misty brushes off the missed outing itself.

Patch tries to suggest that they could still go somewhere together, but Misty stops him. Misty says she needs to stop and cannot continue whatever path they had been on. Patch understands that Misty has learned to expect disappointment from him, because his old wounds and obsessions keep making him less available than she needs. Misty ends the moment gently, kissing his cheek before he turns away.

As Patch walks back, he notices a yellow hairband in the bushes at the foot of Misty’s path and recognizes it from years earlier. The sight jolts him, and he picks it up and returns to her door, feeling that he has to say something more important. Before Patch can knock, light falls across the nearby window. Looking through it, Patch sees her and sees who she is with, and the sudden image makes the pieces finally align for him.