Summary

Chapter 17 begins with a press release announcing Nora's departure from the jewelry museum, followed by a note from Sherry Fisk announcing the time of a memorial service for Jack, who has just died of a heart attack. At the service, Nora speaks to George's wife Betsy, who is there in her husband's stead, George being too grief-stricken to attend. Nora and Alma Fenstermacher comfort Sherry. Afterwards, Charlie tells Nora that he worries one day he will be as angry and frustrated as Jack, and Nora tells him that will never happen, touching his arm. He says that is the nicest thing she has done for him in a long time, and then says, “I can't do this anymore” (243).

Chapter 18 begins with a card featuring Nora's new address and job title, president of the Beverly Foundation. The narrator recaps the last several...