Chapter 3 - Grace Summary

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A young man, K. D., is grooming a pair of dogs on a ranch when he recalls a recent event. A seductive woman, unknown to the town of Ruby, arrived and caused a stir due to her provocative appearance and demeanor. Her presence affected the young men, notably K. D., leading to a confrontation with his girlfriend, Arnette. After a slap, tensions escalated between the Morgans and the Fleetwoods, both families to which the couple belonged.

To resolve the issue, Reverend Misner organizes a meeting at the Fleetwood residence with K. D. and his uncles, Deacon and Steward. K. D. is preoccupied with the meeting, as it is rumored that Arnette is pregnant, but he has no intention of settling down with her. This development threatens to damage the Convent's reputation further.

The Morgan men are unhappy about visiting the Fleetwood home, which is plagued by sickness. Jeff, Arnette's brother, and his wife Sweetie have four frail children, and Jeff harbors anger due to his recent return from Vietnam. The meeting is tense, and Jeff gets involved when Steward makes a cruel remark about Arnette's upbringing. However, K. D. apologizes, and the conversation continues.

Reverend Misner reflects on the meeting the following day, disturbed by the hostility he encountered. He recalls the reactions of Mabel Fleetwood and Sweetie, the women of the household, and deems K. D. a detestable young man.

The story then delves into the background of the provocative woman, Gigi. She plans to reunite with Mikey, a man from her past who is about to be released from prison. They intend to meet in Wish, Arizona, near an unusual rock formation. But, unable to find Wish or the landmark, Gigi opts to return to Mississippi and her grandfather.

On a train journey, Gigi encounters a short man named Dice. After Gigi supports him in a dispute with a clerk, they start talking. Dice mentions a different landmark near Ruby, Oklahoma, piquing Gigi's interest. She arrives in Ruby and quickly realizes she has stirred trouble between K. D. and Arnette. K. D. pursues Gigi, leading to further complications.

Gigi soon grows bored with Ruby and seeks a ride to the train station. Roger Best, an undertaker, brings her to the Convent instead. While waiting for Roger, Gigi stumbles upon Connie, an elderly woman sleeping on the floor in a neglected space. Grieving Mother's recent death, Connie requests Gigi's company while she sleeps. Gigi misses her ride but stays with Connie, and they converse briefly. Connie inquires about Gigi's real name, which is revealed to be Grace.

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