On the last Friday of the month, Saint continues the small family ritual she has built at the house on Pinehill Cemetery Road, opening her home to Norma, Charlotte, Mrs. Meyer, and, reluctantly, Sammy. Charlotte joins Saint in the kitchen as her paid sous chef, helping make cornbread and showing how much her cooking skills have improved.

As the evening fills out, Mrs. Meyer brings wine and Sammy brings bourbon. Saint cooks glazed skillet chicken, Charlotte finishes a blueberry dessert, and Mrs. Meyer sets the table, creating a cooperative domestic rhythm while Norma and Sammy steadily drink. Over dinner, the group jokes about Charlotte’s honey, her beekeeping, and her blunt comments about boys and motherhood, with Saint repeatedly trying to rein the conversation back in.

Saint then shares that she has registered Charlotte with the American Beekeeping Federation, revealing both pride in Charlotte and an effort to give her something constructive to own. Charlotte responds with sarcasm, and the others laugh, showing that despite Charlotte’s anger and sharpness, she is becoming part of this improvised family circle.

After the meal ends and Sammy drunkenly embarrasses himself trying to kiss Mrs. Meyer goodbye, the gathering breaks up. Saint sits at the old piano and plays while looking at the painting of the white house, shifting the mood from comedy to reflection.

Charlotte comes to her and asks why Saint always plays that song, saying Norma called it Saint’s wedding song. Saint answers that the song belonged to two people long before her marriage. Charlotte then asks whether Patch will die in prison and says it would be a shame if he did not, exposing how much resentment she still carries toward her father.

Saint refuses Charlotte’s cruelty and says she prays for heaven even for someone like Patch. The exchange shows the divide between Charlotte’s bitterness and Saint’s lingering mercy, while confirming that Patch’s fate still shadows both of their lives.