Part 2, Chapter 8 Summary

Joel is in Randolph's room for the first time as Randolph paints Joel's portrait. During the rest breaks when Joel is free to move, he looks around and is amazed at the collection of old furnishings, books, art pieces, and trinkets crammed into the space. Randolph makes no apologies for the clutter and dismisses the state of the room as a grave of his past, including relics from other times and places. Amy knocks at the door asking for Joel to read to Mr. Sansom, but Randolph sends her away so that he and Joel's time together can continue uninterrupted.

For the first time Joel sees a photograph of what his father had looked like in his prime; a handsome, vital man. Also included in the picture are Pepe Alvarez, the boxer Mr. Sansom managed and Randolph's girlfriend at the time...