Charlie settles into caring for Radar and visits Howard Bowditch in the hospital, where Howard—stoned on a pain pump—shows his external fixator and discusses a long, painful recovery. Howard allows Charlie to cut the grass, warns him off the shed, and sets conditions for a newspaper photo with Radar. Charlie arranges Tiller & Sons grocery delivery and notes Howard’s isolation and dependence.

Back home, Andy Chen relays the coach’s pressure to return to baseball; Charlie declines. On Saturday, Bill Harriman photographs Charlie and Radar at the gate, while Charlie refuses an interview about the house. Charlie walks Radar to meet his father, who warms to the dog and suggests arthritis and heartworm meds.

Charlie receives the pricey grocery delivery and explores the cellar, finding a dusty jigsaw puzzle and the scythe and whetstone he needs to tame the yard. He sharpens the blade via online tutorials, scythes the grass, and visits Howard again, who is in severe pain and overwhelmed by hospital noise and people. Howard asks Charlie to make up the downstairs pullout and, importantly, says he will trust Charlie.

Charlie tests the shed door again, uneasy at prior skittering sounds, then continues yard work. News of the photo spreads; an AP pickup lands Charlie and Radar in the Chicago Tribune’s “In Other News.” Charlie celebrates with his dad, then attends a hospital meeting with case manager Mrs. Ravensburger and physical therapist Melissa Wilcox.

Melissa outlines the home plan: twice-weekly PT, Canadian crutches to walker, bathroom safety bars, a urinal and bedpan, and daily disinfectant pin care that Charlie must perform. Howard refuses inpatient rehab and won’t allow home visits before his return. Charlie agrees to stay the first nights and handle preparations; Howard will self-pay. The chapter ends with roles clarified and high stakes for Howard’s return home.