As readers may have guessed by now, Conchetta is dead, not in California. Just like John is unable to talk about his fears about his own death, Mr. Pignati is unable to talk about—or even consciously acknowledge to himself—Conchetta’s death. Instead, he mourns her death alone and in silence, prolonging his grief and his loneliness. Tension builds as the reader wonders what John will do with this new information—will he tell Lorraine? Will he confront Mr. Pignati about Conchetta and try to comfort him? And how will this affect the teens’ new friendship with Mr. Pignati?