Summary

The chapter opens with Doyle reflecting on how Teddy and Tip contrasted with one another since boyhood. He recalls how Tip has always been labeled as the smart one and Teddy has always been known as the sweet one. Academically, Tip was skipped a grade in school, while Teddy was almost held back.

Although Teddy yearns to talk about his mother, Tip claims to not remember her. Doyle believes that Teddy’s learning problems come from his being unable to stop thinking of Bernadette. Indeed, his need to know more about her brings Teddy closer to Father Sullivan, as Father Sullivan has many memories of Bernadette. Through his relationship with his religious uncle, Teddy comes to associate his uncle and mother with God.

At the hospital, while the group is waiting for a taxi, Kenya tells the men the truth: Tennessee is Tip and...