Chapters 17 and 18 Summary

In Chapter 17, Gilbert admits that he uses the time he is stocking the grocery store shelves to allow his mind to wander and take him wherever he really wants to be. Mrs. Lamson asks if something is going on at Food Land because the store is empty. When Mrs. Carver drives by and waves, Gilbert pretends not to notice her. He remembers back to how their affair first began when he was 17 and helped her fix her car that was broken down on the side of the road. As Gilbert heads toward the front of the store, he stands behind the chip rack noticing the Becky girl is talking to Mr. Lamson about a watermelon. When Mr. Lamson finds out Becky plans on taking the watermelon home by bike, he calls Gilbert to make a delivery.

In Chapter 18, Gilbert puts the...