Breathing Lessons Chapter Summary & Analysis - Part 3, Chapter 3 Summary

Part 3, Chapter 3 Summary

Mother and daughter's suitcases neatly packed in the trunk, Ira's next task is to back out of Fiona's mother's driveway without hitting her car. He thinks that it might be better if he were to stand outside and let Maggie back the car down the drive as he guides her so that she does not hit the other car or the mailbox. Despite her driving record and this morning's mishap, Maggie reluctantly slides behind the wheel.

She cautions Ira not to say anything if she should happen to hit the mailbox, but he tells her that with him guiding her it won't be a problem. True to form, her foot misses the brake pedal as the car rolls backwards and into the mailbox, narrowly missing a nearby Ira, now aghast.

Fiona's mother is watching from inside her house, but doesn't make any effort to alleviate the situation by offering to...
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