Chapters 28 and 29 Summary

Chapter 28 - Cross to Bear - Narration reveals that Essie and Marietta move to a small house in the suburbs Essie rides the subway every day to get to the church, and happily forgets the smell of Laura's liquor. Narration also reveals that Laura misses Essie, that Buddy isn't around as much either, and that she both heard about and saw him with another woman. Laura overhears a conversation between the woman who does her hair and another woman about how handsome men like Buddy are always a "cross to bear," and how Essie is doing the sensible thing by moving out of the heart of the city.

Chapter 29 - Apple of Evil - Laura arrives for services, becomes angry when she sees Buddy's car isn't nearby, and becomes even angrier when she hears how happily and how well Birdie Lee...