Chapter 9 Summary

Frank wakes the next morning and listens to the early morning sounds of Easter. Frank thinks of Ralph and how much he would like to spend the day with him while listening to a woman grieving in the cemetery behind his house. After a time, Frank goes out into the yard to do some yard work. While there, he runs into his neighbor. Frank's neighbors are a kind older couple with whom Frank has always had a friendly acquaintanceship. Frank's neighbor talks to him about second marriages, sharing with him how her current marriage is a second marriage and has proven to be wildly successful. Then the neighbor invites Frank to have dinner with her and her husband one day, even though she knows Frank will not come.

Frank goes back into the house and tries to call X in order to wish...