The Last Carolina Girl

Leah imagines her new house as Mr. Barna drives west, away from the ocean. The journey takes several hours. Leah dreams of a large house like the Barnas’, though she feels guilty for wanting more than her life with Harley. Leah observes the changes in the trees as they travel closer to the Appalachian Mountains.

Mr. Barna parks in front of a large Victorian house. Leah sits speechless as she observes the property and wonders which room she will occupy. She struggles to open the truck door; Leah has rarely had rides in Mr. Barna’s truck, and Harley always accompanied and opened her door when she did. She throws her weight into the door and falls to the ground.

Mr. Barna introduces Leah to Mrs. Griffin, who is dressed in clean, fashionable clothes and wearing her hair in a tight bun. Mr. Barna explains that Leah is a “quiet type” and has few possessions. When Mr. Barna leaves, Leah loudly shouts at him to tell Jesse that she says goodbye. Her voice scares the birds out of a tree, and Mrs. Griffin comments sarcastically about Leah being quiet.