Where the Heart Is

Three years later, Novalee and Forney go to Santa Fe, New Mexico where Novalee receives an award for Kodak’s Greater Southwest photography contest. She submitted the photograph of Benny Goodluck running on Rattlesnake Ridge and won first prize. When she accepts her award, she explains that Benny was running because his grandfather died, and it is his tribe’s tradition to give up “something he loves as a tribute to his grandpa” (220).

Novalee is at work when a storm begins to blow in. When she arrives home, Sister Husband and Americus are preparing to go to the cellar on a neighbor’s property. She sends Novalee and Americus ahead but never arrives at the cellar. When Novalee goes to look for her, a tornado touches down, and she is forced to return to the cellar.

Sister Husband is injured when the tornado flings her trailer into the street. She lives for a few days but passes away. Novalee and Americus move in with Moses and his wife, Certain. The Walmart was destroyed by the tornado, and Novalee learns that it won’t be rebuilt, but a new store will be built in a town 50 miles away.