The chapter opens with Lila’s memory of meeting Bill when she was seven. Francesca introduces Bill as a kind handyman who keeps returning to fix things. Lila observes Francesca’s exuberant personality and begins to notice the growing closeness between Francesca and Bill.

Through Lila’s recollection, Gene’s pattern of absence is laid out: brief, flashy visits punctuated by phone calls and gifts, then longer gaps until the visits stop altogether. In contrast, Bill quietly integrates into their lives with healthier routines, new foods, and practical reliability. He respects boundaries with Lila and never tries to replace her father, yet becomes a stabilizing presence.

On Lila’s eighth birthday, after Gene fails to send a card, Bill gifts her a handmade doll’s house with working details. Lila is enthralled, and Francesca is moved, revealing how much she had wanted this for her daughter. Lila realizes that Bill’s presence fills a gap she had not known existed.

Shifting to the present, Lila refuses to let Gene sleep on the main sofa and instead prepares the study’s sofa-bed upstairs. While making up the bed, she is internally consumed by anger over Gene’s lifelong absences and especially his failure to come after Francesca’s death, which has frozen any residual goodwill.

Lila sets boundaries, asking Gene his departure time and warning him about the early household routine. Gene casually notes late-morning habits and says rehearsals start around midday. Lila hands him towels and points out a spare toothbrush, keeping physical and emotional distance while observing his aging appearance under youthful clothes.

Gene tries to connect, saying it is good to see Celie and Violet and offering sympathy for Lila’s marriage. Lila responds coolly, ends the conversation, and leaves him with no invitation to continue. As she closes the door, she realizes Gene had climbed four flights without favoring his supposedly injured leg, implying the injury may have been exaggerated to gain sympathy and accommodation.