If I Ever Get Out of Here

The next day everyone is still snowed in. Lewis wakes George up by showing him his new guitar. He and George play a few Beatles songs they have been learning. Lewis instructs George about how to use the bathroom, an outhouse, which is something George has never had to use before, especially in the freezing cold. It is a rough experience for George, one he hopes not to have to repeat, but he and his dad end up spending several more days with the Blakes before they can go home. Also, because of the snow, they miss the Queen concert in Toronto. On the sixth day, the snowplows come through and clear a road.

A week later, Lewis returns home from school and finds changes to the house. Albert says it was all done by “Captain Air Force, the superhero” (338). Mr. Haddonfield has paid for a new heating unit, a sink in the kitchen, and the work to supply the plumbing. While Albert is describing the work to Lewis, Lewis finds out about the Haddonfield’s leaving. Mr. Haddonfield is being transferred to Lubbock, Texas. Lewis calls George immediately. George tells Lewis that he wanted to tell him the news at the concert, but then they didn’t go and he was trying to find another opportunity. Lewis is hurt and can’t picture the days ahead when George won’t be there. George asks if Lewis will be home later: “‘Where else would I be?’ I said, and we hung up, disconnecting” (340).

Lewis is having a hard time dealing with George’s leaving. Lewis’ mom wants to invite George and his family over to have dinner. Lewis’ mom makes every effort to impress, even using her mother’s handwoven, white tablecloth. The Haddonfields come over and are warmly greeted. The dinner is German-themed. Lewis’ mom has made sauerkraut and German-style potatoes. Albert has traded future labor with one of the Germans he works for and has brought over a dish called Hasenpfeffer. 

After eating, Lewis’ mom presents Mr. Haddonfield with a gift. She has made beadwork for him, George, and Mrs. Haddonfield. George and his dad received belt buckles, and Mrs. Haddonfield is given a waving-flag pin, but a replica of the German flag. Soon thereafter, Mr. Haddonfield, with marked reluctance, announces that they have to leave—they still have some packing to do before they leave tomorrow. Lewis thanks Mr. and Mrs. Haddonfield for everything they have done for him and his family. With the veil of sarcasm that teenage boys throw over themselves to obscure sentimentality, George and Lewis hug goodbye: “We didn’t even pat each other on the back. It was a real hug, straight and true” (345).

The next day at school, George gives Lewis and present just before his dad picks him up and they leave for good. After school, Artie walks out with Lewis and invites him to come to the old hang-out place where he and George used to go. When Lewis gets home, he opens the gift from George. It’s the Papa Smurf figurine. A month goes by with Lewis having heard from George. Sometimes Lewis goes with Artie to the Road to Hell. Stacey talks with him and apologizes for her earlier behavior, offering him one of her Suzy Q candies.

A week later, Lewis comes home to find a package addressed to him. There is no return address. Inside the package is the rare Beatles album The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl. Lewis listens to the song “Things We Said Today” repeatedly. Lewis believes the song is about two people who know that everything is transitory. Albert believes it is about something slightly different: “I think it’s about two people who find each other again, their memories keeping them connected, even when they don’t live near each other anymore. Two people who each want the other to remember them” (349). Albert then asks if there was a letter that accompanied the package. Lewis shakes his head. Albert asks Lewis which one he thinks sent him the record. Lewis says he isn’t sure, and tells Albert to go away, that he needs to do homework. Before Albert leaves, Lewis thanks him for everything he did for him. Lewis has a hard time focusing. He picks up his guitar and plays “The Two of Us.”