One day after school, the headmaster tells Cushla that she’s doing too much for Davy by paying for his lunches and giving him rides. She replies that she’s only doing her job as a teacher. When she drops Davy off, Tommy tells them that their father is home and asks Cushla to come inside. Cushla feels faint when she sees Seamie McGeown’s injuries. She expresses her hope that the culprits will be arrested soon, and Tommy observes, “I hope they find them before I do” (130). Cushla weeps as she drives home. Michael calls and asks her to meet him that night, and she reluctantly accepts even though she wants nothing more than to curl up in bed. Apologetically, Cushla hugs her mother and tells her that she’s going out with Gerry.

Cushla tells Michael all about the McGeowns. He observes sadly, “There are Tommy McGeowns appearing in front of me every day of the week” (134). Michael makes dinner for them both and tells her that he loves her. Cushla says that she’ll return the sentiment another time because she’s “been doing all the running” (136). While they’re having sex, a car pulls into Michael’s driveway and drives off before he can see who it is.