Chapter 14 Summary

In the days following her lunch with Bangs, Barbara repeats the conversation in her mind, trying figure out how much damage she has done. After burying Portia, Barbara tries to write a letter of confession to Sheba. After three tries, she gives up and burns the letters in the sink. Her guilt is giving her physical ailments. Barbara is unable to sleep and has a constant low-level headache. Her chin breaks out in a rash. She spends Christmas with Marjorie and her family and comes home to a desperate message from Sheba.

When Barbara first hears Sheba's voice she thinks that Sheba has found out about Bangs. She is relieved when Sheba tells her that Polly ran away to Sheba's mother's house in Scotland, and Sheba has to fly there to bring her back. Barbara offers to accompany her, and Sheba, after much...