Summary

Once a farm girl, Veronica recalls what Bob always called her, “a beauty queen with cow shit between her toes” (291). Attending a Fourth of July event at a country club, she leaves Bob to Dom and sees Maddie with her new “beau,” Brooks (295). Although the politics and goals of the Grudder business are not largely explained, Veronica grabs Jules and advises him to tell Leslie that, “We’ve surrendered! Grudder is no longer. Now it’s Tangeman Grudder. And my time here is finished” (296). Previously, the Colonel had mentioned a merger to Admiral Marshall who refused the idea. Jules is confused as Leslie never told him that the destruction of Grudder was her ultimate goal.

Jules realizes that both his wife and son are lying to him. Leslie never shared her motives for moving back to the island...