Summary

Chapter 12 opens with a quote about family. Peggy realizes her lender is nothing more than a loan shark. She continues to field calls from officials in Pont-les-Puits about Russell Woods. When she talked to Donna about Lorna's decision to move back, Donna said “People like to get nearer their children when … they get sick or older.” Peggy now worries that Lorna is facing some crisis and knows they will expect her to care for Lorna. She feels happy with her ordinary life but wishes she had energy to join a group or take a class. Curt and Donna bought an expensive house a year before Curt's accident with Ursula Aymes as the broker. Their mortgage payments are 18,000 dollars a month. Donna knows she should sell but hopes Curt will return.

In Chapter 13, Peggy, Hams, and Misty meet at Pam's apartment. Misty refuses wine...