Part Six: Carol Summary

Chapter 14, the Stone and the Heart, is from Carol's point of view. While Adele is waiting to marry Dr. Hawthorne, she calls often to borrow money from the family. Once, she claims to have cancer. Doubting her sister, Carol calls the doctor. She learns that years ago Adele has breast implants, and one has leaked. She has a cosmetic procedure to make both breasts the same size. That one time, Carol does not lend her sister money. Ann visits Bay City on her vacations from college, but stays away from her mother in California.

When the phone rings at one in the morning, Carol and Jimmy know it is bad news. The hospital tells them Benny has been in a serious auto accident. They have to decide immediately whether to treat him at the small Bay City hospital, or...