Sold on a Monday

Lily is working at her parents’ deli when Ellis arrives to apologize. Ellis admits that she is right about him, about the things he did to get ahead. Lily explains that she knows the children in the second picture were not the same, but she never told anyone. Just then, Samuel calls for his mom and she answers. Ellis shows surprise but no judgement. He only remarks that Samuel is a “good-looking boy, your son” (126).

Lily reassures Ellis that his article was good, deserved to be published, and any other details are best left in the past. Ellis updates Lily about the Dillards, and Lily invites him inside. Ellis joins the Palmers for a tense dinner, but makes animals with table linens to Samuel’s delight. Then, given the rain storm, Mrs. Palmer invites him to sleep on the couch.

Later, Lily goes downstairs to talk to Ellis. She wants to go the Dillard’s old area in Laurel Township to see if they can find out what happened to the children. He does not want Lily involved, but she is adamant. As a mother, she wants to help the story “hit home,” and feels responsible. Ellis agrees, but he knows Lily is not to blame.