Summary

In Chapter 9, Allie takes a long lunch. She rents two books from the library then heads “to the church” (97). Throughout mass, she prays for Carol George. Her mind wanders. Afterwards, she and Colin go for lunch at the mall. While Colin is ordering, Allie rolls up her sleeves, forgetting about her bruises. When Colin sees them, he “nearly drop[s] the tray” (102).

Instead of answering Colin’s questions, Allie eats. Colin tells her he looked for her over the years, but Jankie and her brother Ricky would not tell him where Allie was. He guesses they thought Colin would “tell Mammie” or Allan (103). Allie feels conflicted. She had to leave home because Allan was abusing her, but regretted leaving Colin. Allie urges Colin to tell her about his life since. He moved to the States, went to seminary, was ordained, and returned to...