The chapter opens with a conversation between Lucent and his wife. Lucent tells his wife that he is on his way back from a business trip. He tells her that he will be back in time to cut the cake for his wife's birthday. She tells him that it is her birthday and that she would like him to throw off the cake. She also tells him to stop pestering her brother. She then tells him not to be mad at him for being late. He thanks her for her hard work and tells her to eat the cake and stay for the night. He then tells her not to worry about him because he will come back in the morning. He asks her to take a shower and then he will go to bed