Chapter 8 Summary

"The Third Person Eddie Meets in Heaven." Eddie is in Heaven again and has been transported to a mountain range. There is snow on the ground, and he is wondering whether there are no more people to meet. Then he sees an old-fashioned diner with a sign reading "EAT" above it. He sees people in the diner and then someone he knows - his father.

"Today is Eddie's Birthday." Eddie is in a V.A. hospital, and his family and Marguerite are there. His mother has brought a cake. He is in bed and is deeply hurt because of his father's indifference. The author comments now. "All parents damage their children," he writes. "It cannot be helped." (p. 104, ll. 1, 2)

Then the author tells the story of the neglect and abuse of Eddie by his father throughout his life. Eddie's father drinks excessively, and...