7
Summary
- The narrator planned ahead by cooking in the Crock-Pot and has fresh salad ingredients ready in the garden.
- The family, consisting of five members, maintains the tradition of eating dinner together during harvest despite grown children having busy lives.
- The children, though grown, choose to eat with their families except for specific days when they dine with friends or significant others.
- Dinner conversation diverts to a man named Duke, whom the father, Joe, says was a well-liked and very athletic person.
- Duke's handstand skill is highlighted and discussed, revealing Duke’s athletic past, including a brother named Sebastian who was a tennis player.
- Joe and the narrator reminisce about watching Duke and Sebastian playing tennis intensely, knowing that Duke could never beat his brother.
- It is revealed that Sebastian became a history teacher after his tennis career did not advance to the professional level.
- As the dinner conversation changes course, Joe excuses himself to work in the barn, a nightly routine that the family knows is driven by exhaustion rather than necessity.
- The family respects Joe's need for a post-dinner barn visit without arguing about his tiredness or the possibility to delay the chores.
- As the story of the narrator's acting experience unfolds, we learn about her involvement in summer stock theater and past production of "Our Town."
- The narrator meets and works with notable characters in the theater industry, including a celebrated stage director, Mr. Nelson, and the actor playing Uncle Wallace who is keen on making a good impression.
- Duke, a fellow actor, and the narrator form a connection as they share memories, go for a walk by the lake, and Duke attempts to persuade her to smoke.
- An intimate moment develops between Duke and the narrator, hinting at a developing romantic relationship.
- The family's routine continues with phone calls interrupting dinner, Maisie leaving to help a neighbor with a sick calf, and discussions about pausing the ongoing family stories.
- The narrator reflects on a time when the house was full of children and recognizes the rarity of having an empty house with Joe.
- A humorous discussion about sexual appetite and memories between Joe and the narrator takes place, gently touching on their long-standing relationship.
- The chapter ends with Joe asking the narrator to stay awake while he takes a shower, leaving the lights on in anticipation of one of the girls returning home.