In the present, Tom visits Susan's well-appointed apartment and makes dinner for her and Bernard. There is an easy chemistry between Tom and the doctor, but Bernard initially seems uptight. As Tom jokes around at the dinner table, Bernard grows more relaxed around his mother, telling her about his favorite football teams. Tom senses that Bernard is usually not as happy at home. Later, when Bernard learns Tom is not currently employed as a football trainer, he lashes out against Tom and Susan for not hiring him a “real coach” (334). Tom refuses to mollycoddle Bernard and insists he help them clear the table. Bernard appears to calm down. Susan reveals to Tom that the environment at their house is very tense, with Herbert not even allowing dinner conversations. Bernard is afraid of his father. Tom feels a kinship with Bernard and tells Susan he is establishing boundaries with the boy, which he would like Susan to enforce.

Tom tells Susan about Sallie’s affair. He thinks it is his destiny to be sad because he chose to be born to his parents. Savannah has the same destiny, except the consequences are far more magnified in her case. He reveals to Susan the real reason that he hasn’t seen Savannah in three years: Savannah wants to stay away from all her family, including her twin.