Chapters 20 through 23 Summary

In chapter twenty, Holly and Frank are at the Mackey house. Frank says that everyone is on edge but that Mrs. Mackey seems to be trying very hard to create a pleasant afternoon. Frank says that he would have commended his mother for her efforts but that she then tells him that his face is going to "look like tripe," making him realize that she will never really change. He pays special attention to Shay and says that Shay looks as if he's running a fever. There's a Christmas tree and several get it decorated. Jackie's husband, Gavin, seeks to leave the main body of the family alone for a few minutes by taking Carmel's husband and the children for a walk. Ma snaps about it but the two men and the children leave.

Frank and Jackie go outside to smoke...