Thanks to Nola’s presence, Harry has started writing.

Two weeks earlier, Harry promises Nola they will leave Somerset together. At the gala, in the bathroom, on the mirror above the sink he finds the words “pedophile scum” in red lipstick, so he is certain someone knows. He meets Elijah Stern, whose house he rents. Nola leaves the hospital and comes to see him. He promises he will take her to Martha’s Vineyard.

Harry goes into Clark’s to face Jenny’s sadness and Tamara’s anger. His diner credit is over five hundred dollars, and he is almost broke. He decides to go to Martha’s Vineyard and then give up the house. Nola encourages him not to give up. He promises Nola he will put seagulls in his novel, as she loves them so much.

They go to Martha’s Vineyard for four days. As they are leaving Somerset, someone is watching them. Harry believes Nola told her parents she would be at a friend’s house, but she actually ran away. Her father is in anguish, but he does not phone the police. Back home, Nola does not want Harry to leave Somerset and makes him promise he will stay. He lies and says he will.