Part One: The Harralsons, Chapters 7 and 8 Summary

The day of Pie's housewarming party, Walter and Colquitt notice the busy preparations at the Harralson house as they go about their daily business. Colquitt and Walter offer to arrive early at the party to help calm Pie's nerves. Colquitt writes that the party starts out well. The arrival of Pie's parents seems to complete her joy that evening. Colquitt and Walter both sense that Matt Gladney, Pie's father, doesn't like the house. This feeling spreads and soon Claire asks Colquitt why Pie's father is so angry. They suspect it is because Gladney had no hand in helping design or decorate the house. It was done by Pie and her husband alone.

The Abbott family and Kim are the final ones to arrive at the party. As Colquitt meets the Abbotts, she again...