The Memory Keeper's Daughter

As Paul explores,Norah decorates the new house with streamers for Valentine’s Day as well as her anniversary. The nurse from David’s new hospital office calls to say he won’t be home because there was a terrible car accident involving teenagers. Norah is disappointed because she has made David’s favorite meal and Bree has come to babysit Paul. Norah thinks of how she has spent her time redecorating the new house and driving too fast down “country roads to the private cemetery, marked with a wrought-iron gate, where her daughter was buried” (75). Bree comments on how domestic Norah has become, and Norah takes offense. Bree apologizes as does Norah, who explains that David is delayed in surgery and she is frustrated. They drink wine that Bree brought as a gift, and Norah feels depressed. They discuss selling the old house, and Bree admits that her now ex-boyfriend cheated on her. Norah feels like she is on the precipice of disaster and envies Bree’s freedom and inattention to rules. Bree says she needs to live her life a little and not worry so much. They eat snacks and drink more. Norah mentions she bought David a camera for their anniversary, and Bree offers to take Paul anyway so that Norah can have some alone time.