The Keeper of Stars

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

Jack and Ellie spend the early summer rekindling their romance. One night, they return to Parrott Island. Ellie reminds Jack about him telling her about mockingbirds on their first trip to the island, and he tells her that he always knew their love was “written up there…in the stars” and that they were destined to be together (240). Jack asks if she still dreams of getting married on an island, and when she says she does, he tells her that he will “keep that in mind” (240). One day toward the end of July, Ellie gets a phone call from Zora informing her that a NASA representative is coming to the university to interview Ellie for a position on the lunar research team. Ellie is shocked and thrilled: She has been applying for years, and she never thought she would get this opportunity. She invites Jack to come with her for the few days she will need to be in Indiana. When they reach Bloomington a few days later, Jack is pleasantly surprised at Ellie’s home and its charming neighborhood. He tells her what a wonderful place it is and says that it suits her.