In this chapter, Notch finds himself alone in Gabriella's house for the first time. He takes the opportunity to vacuum and then snoop around, discovering various items that give him insight into Gabriella's life. He finds a small record collection, a variety of books, some recreational drugs, and alcohol. He also goes through her closet, imagining her in different outfits, which leads to a moment of self-awareness about his own nudity.
A knock at the door interrupts his thoughts, and a delivery boy named Doug returns his cleaned and pressed clothes. Notch generously tips Doug and then decides to kill time by reading "Life on the Mississippi" by Mark Twain. He discovers that the book is a first edition, signed by Samuel Clemens, which deepens his admiration for Gabriella.
As he prepares to propose to Gabriella, he realizes he doesn't have a ring and seeks advice from Missus Kelly, a neighbor. Missus Kelly, who insists on being called Harriet, offers him some heartfelt advice and directs him to a local jewelry store. However, his plans are interrupted by a visit from Police Commissioner Fortier, who reveals that he knows about Notch’s past and the murder he committed in 1963.
The Commissioner gives Notch three options: face a deadly confrontation, be arrested and extradited, or leave the state and never return. The protagonist, realizing the gravity of the situation, decides to leave, despite his deep feelings for Gabriella. He makes the bed, changes clothes, and leaves without a note, feeling the weight of his past actions and the inevitability of his fate.
The chapter ends with Notch contemplating his future as he crosses the Mississippi River, symbolizing his transition from one life to another.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Medal of Honor: Stories of Courage
Rewarded for bravery that goes above and beyond the call of duty, the Medal of Honor is the United States’ top military decoration. The stories we tell are about the heroes who have distinguished themselves by acts of heroism and courage that have saved lives. From Judith Resnik, the second woman in space, to Daniel Daly, one of only 19 people to have received the Medal of Honor twice, these are stories about those who have done the improbable and unexpected, who have sacrificed something in the name of something much bigger than themselves. Every Wednesday on Medal of Honor, uncover what their experiences tell us about the nature of sacrifice, why people put their lives in danger for others, and what happens after you’ve become a hero. Special thanks to series creator Dan McGinn, to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Adam Plumpton. Medal of Honor begins on May 28. Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear ad-free episodes one week early. Find Pushkin+ on the Medal of Honor show page in Apple or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkin Subscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com