Oh dang. I actually read Stepping on the Cracks when I was in elementary school, and although I don't remember much about it, I do recall not liking Elizabeth much. Weirdly, my most vivid memory is of the title scene at the opening; the rest is mostly pretty vague (although I do recall a conversation between the deserter and Margaret that was surprisingly touching, though the content has long since fled my brain). Honestly I'm not sure if I even finished it - I have no memory at all of the ending.