Raymie Nightingale

Beverly pushes the cart loaded with Louisiana and Bunny up the hill. The girls chat about Beverly’s mother and her work at Belknap Tower, the lights of which they can see high above the town. As they reach the top of the hill and look down the other side, Raymie is reminded of her father, and her mood saddens. They can see the Memorial Hospital beside Swip Pond, where Mrs. Sylvester feeds the swans. Thinking of Mrs. Sylvester makes Raymie’s loneliness return.

At the top of the hill, Louisiana stands up in the cart and urges Raymie and Beverly to push her faster. Raymie and Beverly give one big push, but the cart gets away from them. Louisiana clings to Bunny, who howls as the cart speeds out of control down the hill towards the pond. Louisiana’s resigned voice eerily floats back to Raymie and Beverly, who are desperately trying to catch up with the cart: “But I can’t swim” (237). As Raymie and Beverly frantically chase the cart, Raymie hears Mrs. Borkowski’s voice saying “run, run, run” (237). She sees Bunny’s ears flying and Louisiana’s barrettes shining as the cart takes off and plunges into the pond.