Chapter 12 Summary

Rose is irritated with Macon, because he has been missing meals and sometimes doesn't even come home at night. Macon apologizes but realizes that he has been spending more and more evenings with Muriel and he doesn't care who knows it.

Rose is soon to get a surprise though as Julian shows Macon the engagement ring he plans to give to her on Christmas. Rose is so unlike any of the other women he has ever known - so true. Julian likes the idea of being part of family. Macon seems a bit leery of it but tells him it is a beautiful ring just the same.

Macon isn't really sure what attracted him to Muriel. Muriel's youthfulness is unsettling - she barely remembers Vietnam and had no idea about the Kennedy assassination. Muriel also talks non-stop about lots of things - but...