Repairs on the hotel proceed, and Irene is getting by. She tells herself she will sell the hotel when the endless renovations are complete. She sees that Sam has stayed in the village, offering English-speaking volcano tours, and has a woman companion. In contrast, Irene still sees herself as “a traveler passing through” (170).

Maria thinks Irene must be lonely and reminds her not to forget about love.

Irene goes through a drawer of letters Leila left, some of them never opened. She finds a folder of letters describing Charlotte, including a picture, and a letter from Javier telling Leila not to write anymore.