62 pages 2 hours read

Anne Tyler

Clock Dance

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2018

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Part 2, Chapters 9-12Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 2, Chapter 9 Summary

Denise makes progress in getting around. She asks Willa to drive her to work, and Willa agrees. Several of the neighbors help Willa and Cheryl as they maneuver Denise into the car. Willa finds her way easily to the school, passing the stuffed rabbit at the corner again.

The one time Peter called since he left, he spent the entire time complaining about the trip and then excused himself for a golf game.

Later, Erland comes over to see if Willa needs any help returning to get Denise. Willa wonders if Erland has a crush on Denise. Peter calls, and he and Willa exchange small talk about dinner and the state of their house in Arizona. Willa doesn’t tell Peter about Denise’s progress. When Willa hangs up, Erland asks about Peter’s work as a lawyer. As he fidgets nervously, Willa asks Erland what’s wrong. Erland confesses to shooting Denise. 

Erland is not popular at school, so when given the opportunity to impress one of the cool kids in his grade, he showed the boy, Magnus, Sir Joe’s gun. Magnus picked up the gun and tried to leave the house with it.