Summary

In "Gloomy Tune," the narrator describes the children of a local family. The girls work as "mean babysitters," and the boys plan "to join the army" (161). One of the children, Yoyo, later becomes "well known for using a knife" (164). All the children at school pray for him.

In "Living," Faith's friend, Ellen, calls her two weeks before Christmas to say she is dying (164). Faith is dying, too. Both women are hemorrhaging. They both have children, and try to get better. They keep talking. "Three weeks after Christmas," Ellen dies (166). Faith thinks about Ellen often.

In "Come On, Ye Sons of Art," Kitty and Jerry Cook argue about art and business. Kitty wonders what she would do without Jerry. Jerry says she would not be pregnant without him (174).

In "Faith in a Tree," Faith goes to the park...