Paul goes with Janice to visit Warden Moores’ ailing wife, Melinda, after her brain tumor diagnosis. Janice greets Melinda warmly while Moores takes Paul aside to reveal his helplessness and grief. When Moores asks about Percy and Wharton, Paul’s thoughts drift to Coffey, and how Coffey managed to heal Paul with his touch. When Paul and Janice return home, his wife suggests that if his urinary tract infection is cured, they should have sex. As they are having sex, Paul keeps thinking about Coffey’s healing power and Coffey’s words, “I helped it, didn’t I?” (222). Later, when Paul drives to the prison, he thinks about how they will have to prepare for Delacroix’s execution soon. He looks forward to the execution being the last time Paul may have to see Percy.

The guards tell Delacroix that there is an audience for him and Mr. Jingles. While skeptical at first, Brutal explains that since Warden Moores is out due to his wife’s sickness, Mr. Curtis Anderson is in charge and wants to see Delacroix’s performing mouse. He says that several other people are there to see Mr. Jingles, too. Excited by the audience, Delacroix happily agrees and follows Brutal out.