In Chapter 148 of All the Colors of the Dark, the protagonist is seen standing outside a motel, using a payphone in the warm evening air filled with the sweet scent of lilacs. The mountain looms in the distance, casting a shadow over the town while the sounds of cars and the bustling streets echo beneath. Earlier that day, she spent hours at the Summit County Police Department, preparing a report while distracted by the mundane details of a poor pizza. As the day wore on, her mind wandered far beyond the task at hand, focusing instead on the emotional toll that had begun to settle over her.

The phone rings, and Patch’s voice greets her, bringing her back to reality. She apologizes for the late hour, immediately feeling the weight of time, but Patch, ever solemn, asks how she is. His tone, though calm, carries a hint of weariness, and she imagines him sitting alone in the dimly lit confines of his home. The conversation shifts to discuss the looming mountain, a force of nature that reflects the disturbance in her life, signaling something ominous on the horizon.

As the discussion delves into personal matters, she brings up Misty, her mother figure, revealing the complexity of their relationship. They only meet occasionally, and their conversations are largely confined to the past, avoiding the present. Patch’s curiosity about Misty’s life leads her to allude to the possibility that Misty might have remarried, a revelation that hints at the emotional distance between them. This conversation sparks a deeper connection, as she starts to open up about her struggles with her family and the dynamics that have shaped her life.

Despite the heavy tone of their exchange, there are moments of levity. Patch inquires about a parole officer, which momentarily lightens the mood, as they both laugh off the awkwardness of it. However, the conversation quickly becomes somber as Patch admits that he has been thinking about her constantly. This admission hangs in the air, and she brushes it aside, not ready to confront the feelings it stirs within her.

The mention of motherhood evokes a surge of emotion, and Saint reflects on the life she never had, the dreams she never got to realize. Her mind wanders to the image of mothers in playgrounds, and the life that could have been if things had turned out differently. The weight of lost potential feels almost unbearable, and she wonders if it is too late to change anything.

She also recalls Summer Reynolds, a girl from her past who had left a lasting impression. Summer was full of life, her vibrant personality and mischievous nature etched into Saint’s memory. In this quiet moment of reflection, the contrast between Summer’s carefree spirit and Saint’s current emotional weight becomes painfully clear.

As the conversation continues, the phone call is abruptly cut off, leaving Saint in a moment of silence. The connection severed just as things were beginning to shift, leaving her with unresolved emotions. The sound of the phone click lingers in her mind as she sits, lost in thought, grappling with the complexities of her past and present.

In the final moments of the chapter, Saint is left with an overwhelming sense of emptiness. The conversation with Patch had opened old wounds, but now, the silence that follows is deafening. Her heart aches with unresolved feelings, and as she contemplates what’s next, she realizes that the path ahead is filled with uncertainty. The chapter leaves her struggling with her emotions, knowing that the journey is far from over and that there are many more layers to uncover in her quest for closure.