Chapter 216 of All the Colors of the Dark revolves around Saint and Charlotte as they work together to clear land for an upcoming project. Over the course of a long weekend, they labor intensively under the hot sun, tackling stubborn roots from mountain laurel, witch hazel, and wild blueberry bushes. Despite the physical exhaustion, they take breaks to enjoy simple, hearty meals of beans, ham hocks, and cornbread, a recipe Charlotte has perfected over time. The atmosphere of the day is tinged with memories of Norma, as the hum of Charlotte’s bees serves as a constant backdrop to their work. These moments of labor are interspersed with reflections on the past, adding emotional depth to the otherwise physical task. The connection between the two women grows stronger, not just through their shared work but through the way the land evokes memories of those they’ve lost and the passing of time.

On one significant Sunday, an arborist arrives to help by cutting down several oak trees, offering his services for free in exchange for the timber. While the task continues, Saint offers him butter cake, which causes frustration for Charlotte, who had been planning to use every last crumb of it herself. The afternoon continues with their work, clearing a 30-by-30 section in preparation for the studio that Sammy’s contractor will soon lay the foundations for. Initially, Charlotte hesitates, unsure of her own desires for a personal space, but eventually admits her need for a creative outlet, acknowledging the importance of carving out her own space. This moment marks a significant shift for Charlotte, as she begins to reconcile her needs with the plans she’s making for the future. It shows a moment of personal growth, where she starts to consider her own ambitions, no longer solely focused on the past.

Throughout the chapter, Charlotte reflects often on Norma and their shared grief, contemplating how time and distance can change the way they experience loss. She and Saint engage in a quiet conversation about the nature of prayer, discussing its role more as a reminder of what truly matters rather than as a plea for divine intervention. These reflective moments are balanced by moments of lightheartedness, such as when Charlotte jokingly refers to a fallen tree as her “bitch.” This contrast between humor and sorrow highlights the complexities of Charlotte’s emotions and the way in which the two women are learning to navigate their grief. The interplay of these feelings creates a textured narrative, illustrating how even in the midst of hard work and physical labor, emotional processing continues to take center stage. Their connection deepens as they move through the day, each of them growing more attuned to the other’s emotional landscape.

As the evening draws closer, the land is finally cleared enough for machinery to begin its work, signaling that the physical labor is nearing its end. However, the calm and satisfaction of their progress is shattered when Saint stumbles upon what appears to be a large number of bones buried in the ground. This discovery triggers a sense of unease, and it soon becomes clear that something more sinister is at play. The atmosphere shifts once again when Officer Michaels arrives with disturbing news of a nearby murder, which immediately casts a dark shadow over the day’s work. What was once a project of creation now takes on the weight of destruction and loss, as the bones buried beneath the surface echo the unsettling presence of the past. This discovery and the subsequent news from Officer Michaels serve as a stark reminder of the community’s darker undercurrents, where the quest for new beginnings is often haunted by the echoes of old wounds. The chapter beautifully intertwines themes of creation, destruction, and memory, as it highlights both the struggles of building something new and the impact of unresolved histories that continue to haunt the present.