11.22.63

Jake arrives at Sadie’s house and they immediately go into the bedroom. Over a picnic dinner, she tells him about her husband, Johnny Clayton. They attended the same college and later got jobs at the same high school. Her parents loved him. She mentions a broom that came between her and her husband in bed but refuses to give specifics. Over the next few weeks, Jake and Sadie grow closer.

Deke tells Jake about a discreet motel on the highway, the Candlewood Bungalows, where he can take Sadie and not worry about local gossip. On their second visit to the motel, Sadie tells Jake more about her marriage. Johnny was disgusted by the idea of sex and disliked the necessity of dealing with his own sexual desires. On the nights when he could no longer ignore his sexual drive, she would pleasure him and then he would place “the broom” (489) between them on the bed and insist that she remain firmly on her side of the barrier.

Jake has a nightmare that someone is coming to hurt Sadie. In his dream, the monster is Frank Dunning, Johnny Clayton, and/or JIMLA. A short time later, Sadie and Jake learn Vince Knowles was killed in an accident that left Mike Coslaw with a broken arm and Bobbi Jill Allnut with a large cut on her face.

Jake learns the Oswalds’ future rent house is going to be vacant. Jake goes to visit the current tenant, convincing her to help him get a copy of the house key. When Jake returns home, Sadie is upset and suspicious of his behavior.

Even though Sadie continues to be upset with Jake's odd behavior, he pushes forward, planting one of the bugged lamps in the future Oswald home. Ellie Dockerty, the new principal at the high school, requests that Jake sign another contract to continue teaching, but he refuses because it will overlap with his plans to stop Lee Harvey. She asks him to direct the junior-senior play as well. Initially Jake refuses but decides to put on a “Jodie Jamboree” event to raise money for Bobbi Jill Allnut to get reconstructive surgery.

Sadie confronts Jake because he has been using odd phrases and singing lyrics to a song that doesn't yet exist. She has also learned that his work references are fake. She wants to know the truth, but Jake cannot figure out how to tell her without placing her in danger and coming off insane. As they argue, Jake notices an application she has begun to fill out for a temporary job for when she travels to Reno, so she can secure a divorce from Johnny Clayton. When he sees her full name, Sadie Doris Dunhill, he is struck by the coincidence of her name being so close to Doris Dunning, the wife of Frank Dunning. He suddenly becomes convinced that Johnny will find her and attempt to harm her. He warns her to be careful.