Chapter 10 Summary

In July of 1976, as Fort Niles downplays the U.S. bicentennial, Toby overlooks the fact that Rhonda has no formal training in hair styling to ask her do the honors for the wedding of Dorothy "Dotty" Wishnell and Charlie Burden. Ruth at the time is on Potter Beach with Simon and Webster, who looks suicidal. Ruth and Simon look through a book about finding hidden treasures that Simon finds disappointing, although he has glanced at only the first chapter. Ruth finds him pathetic.

Ruth too is invited to help at the wedding, along with Kitty. Owney rows them out on the morning of the wedding to the New Hope, where Cal waits, and then drives them to Toby's three-story Victorian house. Rhonda sets up a temporary salon in the back garden while Cal sends Owney to fetch Lanford, forbidding Ruth to go along...