3

Ten stable months pass before Eddie’s counts climb. During this window, Daphne visits after school, they share books and bridge, and Eddie finally retires—cheerfully masking Daphne’s fear that worsening health drives the decision. Jonathan’s connections place Eddie with oncologist Dr. Ocean on the Upper East Side.

In parallel, Jonathan and his sister Bea finish clearing their Fond du Lac house, discover a hidden lockbox of watches, coins, and a diamond, then use sale proceeds to see the northern lights. Restless afterward, Jonathan accepts an interim hospital leadership role in nearby Bronxville, aiming to make himself indispensable.

Daphne insists on escorting Eddie to chemo. In a bright, private infusion pod, they banter with a nurse as the line is placed. Eddie gently steers Daphne to describe taking her father, Buddy Zabriskie, through cancer treatment years before, comparing settings and care.

Daphne recounts Buddy’s metastatic melanoma, the crowded family support, and Jonathan—then a hospital administrator—quietly helping. She describes buying first-class tickets and driving Highway 1 so Buddy could finally see Big Sur, which filled him with wonder despite exhaustion.

On the return flight, Buddy dies in his sleep from a pulmonary embolism. Daphne hides the death until landing, then relies on protocol—and on Jonathan, who crosses security to manage arrangements. Gratitude for Jonathan’s competence fuses into love. Daphne also recalls Polly’s explosive reaction to Buddy’s death, and Eddie observes that Polly never got over Buddy.

The session ends with Eddie and Daphne acknowledging shared premonitions about death, the solace of stories, and the uncertain road ahead. The chemo proceeds without incident, but the stakes have shifted: Eddie has reentered treatment, and Daphne’s past clarifies why Jonathan’s steadiness binds their present.