Contents
Chapter 21
Overview
Meg wakes to new clothes and tests her place in the Heidelberg home, meeting Tom’s kindness and Lucille’s volatility. A call announces the Heidelbergs’ early return, raising stakes. Lucille orders Meg to lie about being adopted through Georgia Tann and threatens to send her back, consolidating control while Tom is sidelined.
Summary
Meg wakes in her sunlit room, relieved to be safe yet anxious after overhearing Lucille argue about money. She discovers bags of mostly secondhand clothes and toys, tries on outfits, and savors privacy and food. When Meg thanks Lucille, Lucille snaps, revealing irritation and distance, while Tom remains kindly attentive.
Throughout the day, Meg experiments with her new wardrobe, fixates on the bluebird dress, and rejects a too-babyish pink dress. Lucille visits, shares a hard-luck past, and pointedly insists Meg wear the pink dress to meet the Heidelbergs, pressing Meg for compliance under a veneer of female solidarity.
At supper, Lucille dresses glamorously, retrieves hidden liquor from a secret cabinet compartment, and drinks while Tom declines. The household routine comforts Meg—especially the fried chicken—until the telephone rings; Lucille learns the Heidelbergs will return sooner than expected.
With urgency, Lucille drills Meg on exactly what to say: that Meg was adopted from Mrs. Georgia Tann at the Tennessee Children’s Home Society in Memphis. When Meg asks why, Lucille threatens to send her back to “that shithole,” coercing her silence about the liquor as well. Tom confirms the family’s imminent arrival and tries to speak, but Lucille declares the matter settled, leaving Meg aligned with Tom yet bound to Lucille’s demands.
Who Appears
- Meg (Heidelberg)Protagonist; delights in new clothes and safety, resents the pink dress, and is coerced into a cover story about her adoption.
- Lucille HeidelbergVolatile and controlling; snaps at Meg, insists she wear a pink dress, hides liquor, and forces a Georgia Tann adoption lie with threats.
- Tom HeidelbergKind and supportive; praises Meg, focuses on writing, declines liquor, informs about family’s return but is overridden by Lucille.
- Willy MayHouse staff at the big house; relays the phone message that the Heidelbergs are returning early.
- Mr. and Mrs. HeidelbergTom’s returning relatives; impending meeting pressures Lucille to stage Meg’s presentation and enforce the adoption cover story.