Out of the Woods

Alone at the hospital, Sarah is having flashbacks to seeing Caleb’s injuries and fighting off her horror. She calls Caleb’s mother and explains what happened, ending the conversation as a doctor arrives. The doctor explains that Caleb has a concussion and some brain swelling. He is under sedation in the intensive care unit (ICU) as a precaution and to promote faster healing. Sarah panics at this, remembering when she struggled to accept Marcie’s admission to the ICU. 

Bo, Win, and their daughter August arrive. Win takes charge, explaining that she has booked a hotel room for all of them. She will put August to bed while Bo stays with Sarah. Win assures Sarah that their history of loss is not repeating itself. Bo takes Sarah to visit Caleb, and she learns that Caleb’s mother will arrive tomorrow.

Sarah struggles with the sounds of hospital machinery. Bo sits with her, helping her calm down, and they commiserate over their shared loathing of hospitals. Sarah asks Bo for a moment alone with Caleb.

As she watches Caleb’s face, Sarah remembers Marcie’s spiritual lessons and tries to pray. She realizes she cannot believe in a deity with no power to prevent senseless losses like Marcie’s death or Caleb’s injury. She finally decides, “[F]or now, and forever after, I will have to stand on my own two feet” (231).

That night, Sarah and Win struggle to sleep in Caleb’s hospital room, and they cry together. As a distraction, Win asks Sarah to tell her about the retreat. Win is joyful and relieved at their success and is especially proud when Sarah describes her plans to attend university. Win apologizes for not recognizing Sarah’s emotional crisis sooner. Sarah assures her, “I had to decide to change for myself” (285).

Sarah wakes up to see her mother-in-law in the hallway. Chellie is berating a senior doctor for not being able to update her on Caleb’s case. Sarah offers reassurances but Chellie brusquely insists she will speak to the doctors herself. She calls her husband, and Sarah can hear Cyrus berate his wife for interrupting his work. Sarah grabs the phone and yells at Cyrus for his poor priorities, demanding he cancel his schedule.

Over breakfast, Sarah and Win quietly celebrate her assertiveness with the Linwoods. When they return to sit with Caleb, a new doctor explains that he is ready to be taken off of respiratory support and sedation. They all prepare to leave so the procedures can begin. Chellie tries to rush off, but Sarah stops her for an embrace.

Sarah and Win distract themselves with dinner, a shower, and television. They return to the hospital after a few hours and find unexpected camaraderie with Chellie. After five hours, Sarah begins to worry that “maybe my husband’s beautiful genius brain needed more time before they attempted to wake him up” (299). She feels quietly exultant when she learns Cyrus is leaving China to be with his family.

After nine hours, Caleb regains consciousness, and he and Sarah comfort each other.

Sarah climbs into Caleb’s hospital bed so they can talk. He asks about Libby and their friends at Reignite. Sarah assures him they are all well, and she has contact information for Jai and Nina. Caleb tells her that he is ready to honor Marcie and move as fast as possible with his new business goals.

Bo, Win, and August arrive with pizza. The family catches up on Caleb and Sarah’s new goals. Win tells Sarah, “I think Marcie would be very, very proud of dog us” (308). Sarah gives a silent prayer of gratitude.

Ten years later, Sarah, June, Win, and Bo are waiting for a limousine to go to the opening of Sarah’s new play, based on the first of her three novels. The stage adaptation stars Nina, now a famous, Tony-winning actor. Caleb arrives, exiting the lavish car, and confirms that their dog Helen has been fed. 

After the play, Sarah stands onstage, listening to the applause. She sees that her family has thrown flowers for her. Caleb is the exception: He has folded his program into a paper plane. Sarah gives a short speech, thanking Win, Caleb, and her mother for showing her the way. She also declares, “[F]uck you, Cecilia Floodgate” (313). At home, as she considers where to hang a framed review of the play, Sarah takes in the personal history visible in their house, from pictures of their dog to art from their nieces. Caleb assures her, “[W]e’re just getting started” (314).