Summary

Charlie visited Barbara at First Baptist, feeling hopeful and energized. He told her he had "a clean bill of health" (140). She asked if he had the numbers she wanted. He gave her his notes from the phone call with the doctor. Reading "the raw data that only a doctor could make heads or tails of," Barbara looked worried (141). She asked Charlie if the doctor had mentioned a follow-up appointment. Charlie grew nervous.

Oftentimes doctors misdiagnosed or missed pancreatic cancer. Different doctors saw different results (143). Charlie soon learned that he did in fact have cancer. Charlie plunged back into despair.

Because Charley had been angry with Charlie, she began having an affair. At the end of their marriage, Charlie was desperate to continue providing for his children. He drove to Charley’s house, and gave her money...