Contents
Chapter 47
Overview
Two weeks before the shooting, Charly confronts Clark about his affair, briefly wielding his gun in drunken anger. Clark admits wrongdoing, claims the affair has ended, and proposes trying for a baby to repair their marriage. Charly withholds a decision but allows him to stay in the guest room, leaving their future uncertain.
Summary
Two weeks before the shooting, Charly waits at home, drinking wine and seething over evidence of Clark’s affair. Finding Clark’s revolver in the desk, she momentarily feels empowered and imagines confronting him at gunpoint. When Clark arrives, she accuses him by name—Haley Matthews—while keeping the gun visible, rattling him.
Clark, frightened, begs Charly to put the gun away so they can talk. After a tense pause, Charly returns the weapon to the drawer. Clark admits to cheating, calls it a terrible mistake, and says he felt lonely because Charly was rarely home. He insists the affair ended days ago and expresses self-loathing.
Seeking to salvage the marriage, Clark proposes a drastic step: taking a break from stress and starting to try for a baby. Charly recognizes he may be manipulating her by offering what she most wants but also acknowledges her love for him and her dwindling time to have a child.
Unable to decide, Charly says she needs to think. She permits Clark to stay in the guest bedroom. Clark promises to make things right, while Charly remains conflicted about forgiveness and the future.
Who Appears
- Charly (Charlotte)Protagonist; confronts Clark about his affair, wields his gun briefly, weighs forgiveness and the offer to try for a baby.
- ClarkHusband; caught in affair with Haley, frightened by the gun, apologizes, claims it’s over, proposes having a baby.
- KittyCharly’s cat; reacts to the confrontation and flees to the kitchen.