Commonwealth

The story returns to the future, with 52-year-old Franny and her sister Caroline going to see the movie Commonwealth, based on Leo’s book. The sisters think it’s a terrible idea, but her father insists that they should go, especially since it’s his 83rd birthday and he is eager to see how the family will be portrayed by the actors. However, when they begin to watch the movie, Fix grows upset at the way the family is portrayed and begins yelling to leave. Franny and Caroline help the distraught Fix into his wheelchair to leave. Caroline insists that they go to the beach: “I will not allow that to be my memory of Dad’s birthday […]. I want to wipe that movie off my eyeballs. We’re going to go look at the ocean” (235). They go to the beach, even though Fix and Franny prefer to go home.

While at the beach, Franny gets a call from Albie, who is worried about his mother’s health. Franny agrees to check on Teresa, who, after divorcing Bert, continues to live in the same three-bedroom house, even after her children grew up and moved out. Teresa is now 82. Fix insists on coming with Franny, so the three of them drive to Torrance.