Summary

The next section of the novel is titled “Infinity” and here the chapters are delineated by the hours of the day.

In “8 A.M.,” when Ted looks down at Lily, the octopus has returned, her breathing is labored, and Ted knows it will be their last day together. Lily is very weak and Ted realizes that the octopus has already won. Ted knows the decision has already been made.

In “9 A.M.,” Ted pulls out his records on Lily–everything from her pedigree papers to her medical papers to her vet records. He calls the vet to see about euthanasia.

In “10 A.M.,” Ted wants to give Lily anything she wants, so he tells her she can even have the entire jar of peanut butter. Ted wonders what the point in living is when all that ever happens in the end is death.

In...