The Great Alone

The day after her first target practice, Leni arrives at school, wearing her newly acquired black eye as a badge of honor. Early in the day, Matthew suggests that he and Leni skip school. Both kids make up excuses, allowing them to leave school early. Instead of attending class, Matthew takes Leni to the shore on an ATV. Once they arrive, Matthew shows Leni a bald eagle’s nest. Ever since Matthew was a child, he and his mother came to look at the eagles and their nest. Lately, though, Matthew has not been to the nest as often. He tells Leni this is because his home situation has grown more complicated ever since his parents separated.

After hearing about Matthew’s life, Leni is able to open up more about herself. She tells Matthew that her father has not been the same since the war and that he often has nightmares. When she mentions that he might be better in Alaska, Matthew responds, “I don’t know. Winter is one big night up here. People go batshit in the dark, run screaming, open fire on their pets and friends.” This just makes Leni worry even more. She is also upset that soon she won’t be able to see Matthew very often because school is ending and both of them will be spending all their time preparing for winter.

The last day of school arrives, and Matthew and Leni make promises about keeping in touch, although Leni does not think these are promises she can possibly keep. Cora picks Leni up from school that day, notices she is upset, and decides to let her relax when she gets home. The two of them sit around a fire and discuss Ernt. Ernt is currently on a fishing trip with Earl, which is concerning to both Cora and Leni. Neither of them like Earl, and they notice that Ernt’s rhetoric becomes more extreme after spending time with him.

Not wanting to dwell on their present problems, Cora tells Leni about what Ernt was like before the Vietnam War. Cora and Ernt got together when Cora was only 16. That same year, Cora became pregnant with Leni, quit school, and ran off to live with Ernt in a trailer park. Cora’s parents were mortified by her decision, but she is proud of herself for making that choice and for a number of years, she and Ernt were happy. Before long, however, the war came and although Cora did not want Ernt to leave, he did so anyway. When Ernt came back, he was a changed man and his issues have plagued the Allbrights ever since. Cora ends by saying that she thinks Ernt is feeling better in Alaska, but Leni is not so sure.

The next few months of Leni’s life are spent enjoying the beauty of the Alaskan summer, while working hard to prepare for winter. Over the course of the summer, Leni finally hits puberty. She is embarrassed by her changing body, particularly her acne, but her fears are somewhat assuaged by her interactions with Matthew. Although they do not see each other often, Leni and Matthew cherish the moments they spend together. Whenever he gets the chance, Matthew shows Leni something beautiful or fascinating from the natural world such as bear prints or duck eggs. Eventually, the school year starts up, so Leni and Matthew are able to spend more time with one another.

One night, after a hard day’s work, Leni and Cora areinside waiting for Ernt to come join them for dinner.Cora is annoyed because Ernt is outdoors drinking with Earl. Fed up with waiting, she calls Ernt inside for dinner. Ernt comes inside and drunkenly sits at the table. He tells Leni and Cora that they need to prepare themselves for “WTSHTF”—"when the shit hits the fan”—because otherwise they will be “the first casualties.” Annoyed by her husband, Cora tells him that she is fed up with his apocalyptic rhetoric. Ernt reacts aggressively, slamming his fist down on the table. Angered by what he sees as Cora’s lack of support, he gets up and leaves. Cora and Leni are both concerned that Ernt is getting worse as winter draws near.

After school the next day, Ernt brings Cora and Leni to Earl’s property. When they arrive, Ernt and Earl give speeches about how the world has gone to hell. They believe an apocalyptic event is on the horizon and plan on teaching everyone how to fend for themselves. Cora and Leni are alarmed, but they keep quiet so as not to anger Ernt. However, Thelma speaks up and tells the men not to worry everyone with their extreme rhetoric. The men dismiss her and keep talking. In his speech, Ernt disparages Tom Walker, who he thinks would be useless in the type of scenario he is predicting. Ernt ends his speech by telling everyone to line up so he can assess their individual skill with a gun.