In the final chapter, Prior is accompanied to the hospital by Joe's mother, Hannah. Joe's mother is tremendously compassionate, and quick with a response. Harper finally leaves Joe, and she flies to San Francisco. Four years later, Louis, Belize, Prior and Hannah meet up at the Bethesda fountain in Central Park, and they share their dreams of a world where hypocrisy is dead, and where the will to live is strengthened by love and tolerance.
—D. MacCann