Chapter 5, The Purifying Ritual Summary

Faunia's funeral is first. One of the ladies from the dairy offers a eulogy, pointing out to the mourners Faunia's father. Faunia's boss also speaks, talking about Faunia in the context of what a great housekeeper she was. Nathan watches the crowd, wondering if the person who wrote a nasty posting to a message board about Coleman and Faunia's relationship, accusing Coleman of taking advantage of and abusing Faunia, is in attendance. Nathan thinks not.

The next day Coleman is to be buried. Nathan cannot sleep, so he goes into town early to have breakfast at a local diner. There, Nathan sees Faunia's father and his attendant. Faunia's father is ill and in a wheelchair. Nathan purposely overhears their conversation and hears mention of a diary Faunia kept, suggesting Faunia was not as illiterate as she claimed...