Chapter 70: 67 – The Pot Hole Closes
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Chapter 70 (titled “67”) opens with Alfie at the Pot Hole, which is closing for good. No one has told her, but she perceives it as self-evident. She locks the doors for ceremony, pockets the keys, and steps back for reflection. She lists the Pot Hole alongside her other contributions to the village: the library, the church, showers, parties, organizations, charity events. Then a startling thought surfaces: after all that giving, she is still alone. She feels shocked by this bitterness, realizing it may have been lurking under happier feelings like contentment and joy. Scanning the quiet Main Street, she wonders if she gave out of loneliness, assuming that giving would earn her a family. Now she faces a future alone in her trailer. She drops the keys in the dirt.
Hilda, Nora, and Iver drive up, looking for Alfie. Hilda sighs with relief; Nora hated the thought of her being alone for “this.” Iver shuffles over to make room. Hilda jumps out and finds Alfie crying, which surprises her. Alfie’s sad smile makes Hilda want to hug her, but she hesitates because Alfie is not a hugger. Hilda explains that Harry says the event—presumably the apocalyptic phenomenon from earlier chapters—is happening early, and they are going to Irene’s. She asks Alfie to join them. Alfie nods repeatedly, stoops to pick up the keys from the dirt, and points at the car. Hilda risks a side hug, and Alfie melts into it. Hilda realizes she may have been wrong: maybe Alfie was always a hugger and no one knew.
Key Events
- Alfie decides the Pot Hole must close and locks the doors ceremonially.
- She reflects on her lifelong contributions to the village and feels proud but also lonely.
- She experiences a painful realization that her giving may have been driven by a hope for family and belonging.
- She drops the keys in the dirt as a symbol of finality.
- Hilda, Nora, and Iver arrive to pick up Alfie for the journey to Irene’s.
- Hilda sees Alfie crying and offers an invitation, which Alfie accepts.
- Hilda hugs Alfie, and Alfie responds with warmth, challenging Hilda’s previous assumption about Alfie’s dislike of touch.
Character Development
Alfie undergoes a profound emotional shift in this chapter. For the first time, she admits to herself that her relentless community service may have masked a deep loneliness and an unfulfilled desire for family. This self-awareness cracks her usually composed exterior; she cries openly, something Hilda has never witnessed. Her willingness to accept Hilda’s hug and melt into it suggests a previously hidden need for connection. Alfie also shows vulnerability by leaving the keys and then retrieving them, indicating a readiness to move forward.
Hilda demonstrates growing empathy and intuition. She senses Alfie might want company and chooses to extend an invitation against her habit of not hugging. By risking the side hug, Hilda learns that her assumptions about Alfie were wrong. This moment deepens Hilda’s ability to read people and act on compassion.
Nora and Iver are present as supportive figures. Nora voices concern about Alfie being alone, and Iver makes room without fuss, reinforcing the idea that the group now includes Alfie.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Loneliness and Generosity: The chapter explores the idea that selfless giving can be a way to fill an inner void. Alfie’s contributions were real and meaningful, yet they did not yield the personal relationships she secretly hoped for. The motif of “giving without asking” is critically examined.
The Pot Hole as Symbol: The closing Pot Hole represents the end of an era of civic activity and social gathering. It also mirrors Alfie’s own emotional closure: she must shut down the external projects to confront internal needs.
Keys and Ceremony: The act of locking the doors and dropping the keys is both a practical and symbolic gesture of finality. Picking the keys back up implies a reluctant but necessary step toward acceptance.
Discovery of Hidden Needs: Hilda realizes that Alfie may have been a hugger all along, just never shown. This motif of hidden emotional truth runs through the chapter: assumptions about others can be wrong.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 70 provides a crucial turning point for Alfie’s character. It reveals the emotional cost of a life spent serving others and opens the door for her to receive care herself. The chapter also strengthens the bond among the four main characters: Hilda, Nora, Iver, and now Alfie are united as they prepare to face the unknown event at Irene’s. By humanizing Alfie and dismantling Hilda’s preconceptions, the story deepens its exploration of loneliness, community, and the need for genuine connection. This moment of vulnerability and acceptance sets the stage for the group’s collective response to the approaching crisis.
Study Questions and Answers
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What realization does Alfie have about her giving after closing the Pot Hole?
Alfie realizes that she may have given to the community out of loneliness, secretly hoping her generosity would earn her a family and sense of belonging. The thought shocks her because she had never acknowledged those feelings before. -
Why does Hilda hesitate to hug Alfie, and what does she learn from doing it anyway?
Hilda hesitates because she has never seen anyone hug Alfie and assumed Alfie was not a hugger. After hugging Alfie and seeing her melt into the embrace, Hilda learns that her assumption was wrong—Alfie likely craved physical affection all along. -
What does the dropping and retrieving of the keys signify in the chapter?
Dropping the keys symbolizes Alfie’s willingness to let go of the Pot Hole and her past identity as a caretaker. Retrieving them just after Hilda’s invitation suggests she is ready to accept help and move toward a new phase, now with company.