1940 Summary

Nel visits Sula for the first time in three years. She practices asking Sula if there is anything she can do because Sula is sick. She is sure to make her question level and cordial. She does not want to betray any of the range of emotions she still feels towards Sula from the affair, how it had changed her love for her children or how she feels about working at the hotel as a chambermaid.

Sula asks Nel to get her prescription filled – the pain relievers the doctor had told her to hold off on until the pain is "really bad." Sula wonders why Nel had stopped by her house. She is happy, however, that Nel, who always came through during the crises in her life will bring her new medicine.

When Nel returns, she and Sula have a discussion based around their friendship...