Chapters Twenty-Seven through Thirty-One Summary and Analysis

A man Abraham had seen two years earlier, Luther Hines, reappears at the clinic. He's in terrible shape, has stopped taking most of his medications, lives alone without friends or family, and refuses to be put in the hospital or to attend the local AIDS support group. Abraham reluctantly provides a refill on a prescription and lets him leave. Then Abraham learns that Otis has died in Fred's arms. Fred has been provided morphine and administers it freely. Abraham notes the difference between Fred's death and that of Norman. Fred notes that Otis had been angry until he confided in Fred his desire for baptism. When Fred tells him that the repentance is vital but that the baptism is secondary, Otis seems more at peace. Fred says that he felt accepted by Otis' family, especially...