Contents
Chapter 48
Overview
Billy wakes from his coma changed—forgetful and sharper-tempered—casting a new tension over school life. Mabel secretly seeks encounters with Mr. Loukas at Mass, feeling both shame and thrill. Outside church, she sees her recently widowed father arm-in-arm with Susan and Susan’s child, deepening her grief and resentment.
Summary
Billy emerges from a month-long coma with memory gaps. Though he looks and sounds the same, Billy is slower and sometimes blanks out, and his temperament turns meaner, unsettling those around him at school.
Meanwhile, Sundays become Mabel’s favorite day. She carefully dresses for Mass, then slips out after Mr. Loukas during the service. Torn between shame and exhilaration, Mabel continues meeting him in secret while masking her intent by handing out parish flyers afterward.
Daphne regularly helps Mabel distribute the flyers. One Sunday, Daphne pales as she notices a woman leaving the church arm-in-arm with Mabel’s father. The woman, Susan, is stylish and unconcerned with convention, and a blond six-year-old girl walks beside them.
Mabel locks eyes with her father as he and Susan descend the steps, their intimacy blatant only months after her mother’s death. The sight intensifies Mabel’s anger and sense of betrayal, hardening her resolve even as she hides the true reason for her church routine.
Who Appears
- Mabel (Elsie)Narrator; secretly meets Mr. Loukas during Mass; feels conflicted; witnesses her father publicly with Susan and a child.
- BillyReturns from a coma with memory gaps; slower and prone to blank spells; temperament turns meaner.
- Mr. LoukasChurch figure Mabel slips out to meet during Mass; source of Mabel’s shame and thrill.
- DaphneHelps Mabel hand out parish flyers; first to spot Mabel’s father with Susan; reacts with concern.
- Mabel’s fatherNew widower seen arm-in-arm with Susan at church, signaling a swift, public attachment.
- SusanStylish woman accompanying Mabel’s father at church; appears with her young daughter.
- Susan’s daughterAbout six years old; accompanies Susan and Mabel’s father, underscoring their family-like display.