Chapter 38 Summary

The Coopers eat dinner in the hospital cafeteria. Rachel likes the macaroni and cheese, but Shirley thinks the food is terrible. She brings a jar of homemade soup, but Izzy insists he has to eat a special, bland diet and tells her to take it back.

The next day, Izzy's furious with everyone. He's angry with Shirley and Rachel and angry with the doctors and nurses. He complains that he can't walk, can't breathe, and can't even spit up whatever is in his chest. He won't talk to Rachel or anyone.

When the Coopers leave, Izzy rears up in bed and tears off his oxygen mask. He demands to be told when he can go home. He yells at Shirley and then lies down, exhausted, and puts the mask back on.

Chapter 38 Analysis

Like Izzy, we struggle with death's inevitability--the second major conflict...