Carl and his children made it across the border, where they found friendly smiles, clean streets, and beautiful blue skies.

Carl and his children made it across the border, where they found friendly smiles, clean streets, and beautiful blue skies. As soon as they stopped worrying for their lives, they realized living without constant supervision was not only possible, it was liberating! Patrick graduated from the local college and became a successful architect, building gorgeous and comfortable houses. (He could never bring himself to design an apartment building.) Martha's health improved considerably in the warm climate, and her charming smile left no one untouched. Carl's experience in cataloguing data and observing others came in handy, too, and he is now the best librarian in the country. However, the loss of Anna cast a shadow of sadness over their blissful new life, and Carl spent the rest of his days trying to explain to his children – and himself – why his wife wasn't there...