The Age Of Miracles

By December, the days have expanded to 42 hours. Christmas celebrations proceed as usual in Julia’s household and around the neighborhood, and Julia’s mother takes comfort in the reassuring normalcy of rituals like hanging lights and baking cookies. Helen brings cookies to everyone in the neighborhood except for Sylvia and the other real-timers. Julia is now forbidden from speaking to any real-timer, including Sylvia. Despite this, Julia feels sorry for Sylvia and brings her a few cookies anyway. Julia observes that Sylvia looks tired and worn out.

While watching TV, Helen asks Julia if she ever thinks about boys. Although she has a crush on Seth, Julia demurs and dodges the question.

Later that evening, when Julia goes up to her room for bed, she spies on Sylvia’s home through her telescope. She sees a man with Sylvia, with his arm draped around her suggestively, and Julia realizes in an unanticipated burst of recognition that she “knew that man’s mouth” (128). Julia recognizes that it is her father in Sylvia’s house.

As days approach 48 hours long, “certain clock days began and ended before the sun ever rose—or else began and ended before the sun ever set” (129).