Chapters Twenty-three and Twenty-four Summary

In Chapter Twenty-three, Meredith's parents return home at 10 p.m. Although her father presses her to talk, she tries to head for bed. He gives her an unwelcome hug. Meredith asks her mother to wake her up before she goes to work. About a half hour later, Meredith's father knocks on her door. He tries to talk to her until he hears the shower switch off, then tells her they will talk tomorrow.

In Chapter Twenty-Four, Meredith listens as her parents go through their morning routine. Her father is snappy with her mother. She asks what he and Meredith plan to do during the day. He replies "nothing." Meredith's mother comes to her room and asks Meredith not to antagonize her father during the day. She begs her mother not to leave her alone with him. She...