Summary

In Chapter 3, Robin and Mercy drove David to Islington, Pennsylvania for his first year at Islington College (61). It was September of 1970. On the drive home, Robin and Mercy barely spoke, caught in their "complicated, conflicting thoughts" (61). Though Mercy would miss David, she "had a plan in mind" and was filled with anticipation (62).

While Robin was working, Mercy packed many of her things and brought them to the "white clapboard house" she was renting as her art studio (63). Glad to be "all by herself," she spent the day sitting and thinking (64).

Gradually, Mercy moved more and more of her things into the studio. Meanwhile, she waited to hear from David. When no letters arrived, Mercy called Alice, who "was a stay-at-home mom," living with her husband, Kevin, and their baby, Robby (65). Later, she talked to Lily. Lily was upset. She was married to B.J...