Summary

It is the Saturday of the Belseys’ anniversary party. Everyone is scrambling to prepare except for Jerome, who is working his Saturday job at a record store in Boston. On his way home from work, Levi is walking up Redwood Avenue and notices a “crazy” looking black woman sitting on the porch of a house, staring at him. Levi thinks she must find him suspicious, but she calls out after him. She is convinced that she knows Levi’s brother, and then asks after his mother. Levi describes his mother as “bored,” and mentions the party taking place later that evening.

In Chapter 9, Levi returns home to find Zora outside decorating. A passerby thinks Levi is attempting to rob the home before Zora shoos them away. Carl sends Levi a message saying he might drop by the party. Inside, Levi...