Epilogue

Summary

• This chapter takes place on June 25,1945 in San Francisco, California at the San Francisco Opera House where the vote for the Charter of the United Nations is to be held.
• The narrator, Eleanor, is waiting to surprise her friend Mary, who recognises the tapping of Mary's walking stick, a gift from Eleanor's late husband, Franklin.
• The chapter also takes flashbacks to Franklin's funeral where Mary comforts a grieving Eleanor.
• Eleanor reveals that Franklin has left a walking stick as a gift for Mary, knowing that she would appreciate it.
• Eleanor decides to surprise Mary at the Opera House, where Mary is acting as a special consultant to the American delegates at the United Nations charter vote.
• During a heartfelt conversation, Mary and Eleanor discuss their regret of not being able to secure more advancements in human rights through the charter, and Eleanor reveals her complicated feelings about Franklin's passing.
• Eleanor reveals that Franklin was with his mistress, Lucy Mercer, when he died, which leaves her feeling betrayed but determined to carry out the work for peace and equality that he started.
• The two women bond over their shared goal of pursuing equality, and then listen to the announcement for the vote for the Charter of the United Nations.
• The chapter ends with a poignant image of the women holding hands, representing their unity in the pursuit of equal rights, with Eleanor stating that this is Mary's moment, and Mary responds that it is their moment together.