The Accidental Tourist

As time passes, Macon begins living with Muriel fully. His items and routines trickle into her home. After a tour of southern cities, Rose mentions that Edward, whose behavior has greatly improved, waits sadly at the door for Macon’s return. Macon decides to bring Edward to live at Muriel’s house, making their arrangement more official. Edward takes to the new home and to Alexander quickly. 

Macon learns about Muriel and Alexander’s routines, the neighborhood, which is much lower class than his own, and the people whose lives intertwine with Muriel and Alexander’s. Edward behaves well on walks, despite the unfamiliar territory. Macon becomes a part of the family’s daily routines, preparing meals, fixing household items, and working on his books at the kitchen table. Macon finds it less stressful to help Alexander with his homework than when he helped Ethan because “he was not held responsible here” (227) if Alexander failed to master the materials. 

Macon grows to learn about Muriel’s tendencies and moods. He learns about her best friend, Bernice, who visits often. Eventually, after having trouble with her parents, Claire moves in as well. Her parents saw her in the car with one of her friends, who had just cut her hair short and wouldn’t believe Claire when she explained she wasn’t hanging out with a boy. Bernice comments that “they’re just worried you’ll turn out like Muriel did” (231). 

When a heavy snowstorm moves through, Charles shows up at Muriel’s house the next morning, telling Macon that a pipe must have burst in his house. Garner had spotted it and contacted the Learys. Macon and Charles travel to Macon’s long-abandoned house to assess the damage. Macon turns off the water main but is otherwise unconcerned about the extensive damage done to the house. 

On the way back, Charles lectures Macon about spending all his time with Muriel. Charles calls Muriel a symptom and tells Macon that he’s not been himself lately. Charles explains that Rose and Porter agree with him. Macon doesn’t want to hear Charles talk about Muriel’s age, fashion sense, “slummy house,” and sick child, so once they get to Muriel’s neighborhood, Macon bails from the car and walks the rest of the way to her house.

On his flight back from a trip to San Francisco, Macon sits next to a larger man who apologizes for taking up so much space. As they chat, the man reveals he’s an avid reader of Accidental Tourist and appreciates all the effort Macon puts into making his readers’ business trips as comfortable as possible. The man describes it “like going in a capsule, a cocoon” (242). 

When Macon returns, the neighborhood around Singleton Street is experiencing the beginnings of spring. Macon comes home to the neighbor girls and Dominick, who works on Muriel’s car in exchange for using it on the weekends, outside. The girls talk to Dominick while Dominick fixes Muriel’s car. Macon greets them. With Muriel at work and Alexander not home from school yet, Macon decides to take Edward for a walk. Macon spots Alexander down the street, running after some kids who are laughing at him. Behind him, several older kids make fun of Alexander. Macon releases Edward and tells him to go. Edward scares away the other kids and stops in front of Alexander, who hugs the dog. Alexander assures Macon that it was nothing, but Alexander holds Macon’s hand as they walk home. Macon realizes that he now must worry about the future of humanity and the planet again now that he has a child in his life. 

Julian stops by to pick up Macon’s West Coast material. Julian wants to meet Muriel, but Macon tries to stop him. Julian explains that he wants to invite Muriel to his and Rose’s wedding, and Macon relents. In the kitchen, Muriel, Bernice, and Claire are writing a country song for a contest. Their song is about a man singing about his ex-wife and their happier times. Julian is amused and offers his input for the lyrics. He invites Muriel and Alexander to the wedding. When he leaves, Julian tells Macon that he feels Muriel is good for him. Macon is relieved that someone understands what he and Muriel have. 

Macon takes Alexander clothes shopping because the boy wants clothes that look less stiff, like t-shirts and ragged jeans. Macon is reminded of taking Ethan shopping, realizing in the store how life has continued to go on without Ethan’s presence. He runs into the mother of one of Ethan’s old classmates, and they exchange pleasantries while Alexander tries on clothes. They’re approached by Sarah’s mother. Macon tells them he’s helping a friend’s son shop, and Sarah’s mom asks what friend. Before Macon can answer, Alexander emerges in a baggy t-shirt, excited about the clothes. 

The morning of Rose and Julian’s wedding is gloomy and rainy, but it begins to clear up by the afternoon when the ceremony takes place. Macon, Alexander, and Muriel attend. Macon’s mother is there, as are his brothers’ ex-wives and Porter’s children. Macon’s mother, Alicia, greets him and Muriel, asking who Muriel is. Macon realizes no one told her about his relationship. He introduces Muriel and Alexander but doesn’t detail how they know each other. Alicia tells Muriel that Macon is very stuffy, adding that all her children are. Macon wonders to himself if he sought out Muriel because she was similar to his mother in some ways. 

The minister greets Macon, recognizing him as Julian’s best man. Julian gives Macon the rings to hold onto until the ceremony starts. Macon introduces Alexander to Porter’s kids, but they do not seem interested in getting to know one another. Instead of hiding, Rose and Julian interact with the guests before the ceremony. Sarah is among the guests. She talks to Macon about the wedding, asking how he feels about Rose and Julian as a couple. Macon recognizes how familiar Sarah’s eyes still are to him. He expresses his skepticism about Julian, but Sarah says she thinks they’re a good match. Sarah asks how Macon is and comments that she knows he’s living with someone because Rose told her. 

Rose approaches them and tells them it’s time for the ceremony. She informs Macon that Sarah is her matron of honor, which she failed to mention to Macon. As they line up at the altar, he looks across at Sarah and acknowledges that “it all felt so natural” (261).