Chapter 13 Summary

Muriel's parents live in a subdivision with streets named for trees that are nowhere near there. The car makes a right onto Apple Blossom Way and pulls up in front of the Dugan household where they are greeted by Muriel's sister, Claire, a pretty 17-yr. old blonde. Mrs. Dugan greets Macon with skepticism and accepts his gift of cranberry liqueur. Mr. Dugan is preoccupied with the possibility of the pipes freezing in the basement and darts in and out of the day.

Muriel shows Macon pictures from her childhood and he sees the progression of her silky blonde hair to the frazzled mane she has now. Mrs. Dugan finds it necessary to inform Macon of Muriel's progression of unsavory boyfriends since she was 13, as well as the fact that she still has major lapses in judgment. Dinner is a major undertaking with goose...