Monument 14

This chapter describes the ceremony for those who have died. The students dress up and meet in the Bed and Bath section. Astrid does not attend; Jake and Brayden show up hungover. Josie opens the ceremony by saying, “We are here to honor those who have died” (116). Sahalia sings and plays a song on the guitar, and Dean reads his poem. Josie lights a candle and passes the flame around the circle, and “the little kids were mesmerized” (119).

Josie passes around pictures she has cut from magazines. She instructs everyone to “send them love. See them in a circle of light and wish them peace” (119). Dean becomes very emotional while looking at a picture of a baby and cries. Batiste says the Lord’s Prayer to end the ceremony.

Everyone feels more relaxed. Jake blows his nose, and Chloe suggests that they eat, which makes everyone laugh. 

Dean cooks pizza for lunch. Afterwards, the students host the election for the new leader, with Niko and Jake running for election. Jake and Brayden arrive late wearing helmets and tossing a football back and forth.