Chapter 9

Summary

• The narrator walks home musing about Rodney and the misconception of people's characters, as triggered by Mr. Preston's 'frogs and princes' comment.
• They contemplate when to contact Rodney after their date, comparing this potential interaction to previous textual communication with Wilbur.
• Upon arriving at their building, the narrator encounters Giselle, who is visibly upset and requests to come inside the narrator's apartment.
• The narrator and Giselle enter the building, disgusted by the unkempt common areas.
• As they move up to the narrator’s apartment, the landlord, Mr. Rosso, confrontationally asks about overdue rent.
• Once inside the apartment, Giselle, emotionally impacted by the environment, begins to sob while holding a needlepoint pillow.
• The narrator is unsure why Giselle is there and crying but offers comfort and tries to extend condolences for Mr. Black’s death, which seems to be the wrong approach.
• Giselle is not sorry for Mr. Black's death, indicating her emotional distance or relief.
• Giselle observes the apartment interior, which makes the narrator self-conscious about its modest state but reminds them of Giselle's true origin from Detroit.
• The narrator makes tea, trying to emulate their grandmother’s hospitable nature, while Giselle looks at family photos and discusses personal history.
• Giselle reveals a troubled relationship with her deceased husband, including a loveless marriage and abuse.
• Giselle recounts a big fight she had with Mr. Black right before his death, detailing his accusatory behavior and the moment he stormed out of their room.
• The narrator remembers their own interaction with Mr. Black just after that fight and Giselle’s odd behavior.
• Giselle admits to taking medication, possibly to cope with stress, while discussing her unpredictable future and the implications of Mr. Black’s will.
• Giselle asks the narrator to be her maid at the hotel and offers an unexpectedly large tip for the narrator's discretion and company.
• Giselle proceeds to request a peculiar favor from the narrator: to retrieve a hidden gun in the suite for her protection, which causes the narrator anxiety.
• Giselle departs after a heartfelt goodbye, but not before the narrator questions how Giselle found their address, to which she gives a vague response.