In West Mills

Recognizing the truth in Pep’s parting words, Knot considers burning her books and liquor but can’t imagine giving up the comfort they provide. She cleans herself up and goes to visit Eunice at the apartment above the Mannings’ store where she lives with Breezy. On her way up the steps, she encounters Breezy, who discourages her from talking with Eunice about the past since “it might bring on trouble” (180).

In January 1966, Otis Lee visits Fran and Cedar. From his glances, Fran guesses that he suspects she is pregnant from her ongoing affair with Breezy, which she confirms. Fran expresses her surprise that Pep, who already knew, didn’t tell him. Otis Lee hurries home to confront Pep for keeping another secret.

Hoping to save Fran from heartache, Otis Lee asks Knot to talk Fran into giving up on Breezy; she refuses.

In June 1966, Fran gives birth to Lady Sequoia “Coy” Loving. Knot puts off visiting her for a few weeks until Fran and her children pay her a visit. Knot shows her a new room recently added to her house. Originally, Clara Pennington, Riley’s grandson, came up with the idea to add a room while she was buying pies from Knot, but Knot declined her offer to build it for free. Instead, she hired Valley and a few other men to build it.

While Cedar practices spelling, Knot asks Fran whether she intends to have any more children with Breezy. Fran responds that she might and threatens to leave if Knot lectures her. Angry, Knot responds that she doesn’t care what Fran does. Fran hints that Breezy has a reason for marrying Eunice. She mentions Otis Lee, who had to cut back on work after his health declined, and Pep, whose services as a midwife cannot compete with modern medical advances. Fran says that she gave Breezy permission to marry Eunice so that he could have the money to support his family, suggesting that their marriage “ain’t hittin’ on nothin’” (194). Knot worries for Eunice.

In 1975, Otis Lee and Pep watch a newscaster discuss the recently ended Vietnam War on their television, which they received as a gift from Breezy four months earlier. They are surprised by a knock on the door, which Otis Lee answers. He sees two young women that look vaguely familiar. They introduce themselves as Vera and Vic, Pleasant’s daughters and Otis Lee’s nieces. Vera comes in, and Vic goes to get a surprise, which turns out to be Pratt. He and Otis Lee hug “like long-lost brothers” (198). They go for a walk to Pleasant’s old house, which Vera and Vic intend to demolish before selling the property. Pratt tells Otis Lee that, after his military service, he lived a normal life, entering into a childless marriage that ended after 15 years. When he asks about Knot, Otis Lee tells him that she never married but admits that she “sorta” has children (200). Pratt goes to visit Knot, and Otis Lee wonders how she will respond. He returns to the Lovings’ home the next morning, apparently unaware that Knot gave birth to his daughter.

Otis Lee wakes up in the middle of the night to hear Pep praying for forgiveness. She explains that she wrote the note telling Knot’s parents that Knot had a baby and paid Milton Guppy to deliver it.