Summary

In “Briarwood Manor,” on Mr. Merris’ order, Janice Poole, the assistant director at Briarwood, called Ruthie to let her know they had “lost” (92) her father. Ruthie believed Janice was telling her that her father had died and wanted to know what had happened. Janice explained it had happened under unusual circumstances and Mr. Merris would call with details.

In “Losing Daddy,” even though Ruthie knew her father would not live forever, she still had not been prepared. As she waited for Mr. Merris to call, she wondered what she should be doing and thought about all the things she wished she had done.

In “Nervous in the Service,” Mr. Merris described to the police officer that Bud had last been seen getting on the shuttle to go to church. He had not returned on the shuttle. He also told...