Mystic River

Jimmy wakes to the sound of a parade. After his 12-hour sleep, he felt restored, “as if he’d never need sleep again” (391). As Jimmy moves through his day, he is “filled with that overwhelming mixture of pride and love” (392) for his neighborhood. He thinks of the way men like Roman and Bobby do business nowadays and realizes that it’s time for him “[r]un the whole damn city” (393). Jimmy begins to hear Dave’s voice. He tells Dave that he could never resist the “poison […] waiting to spill back out” (394) and that he could never belong in the neighborhood. After Dave’s voice fades, Jimmy reflects upon the little guilt he felt over killing Ray, just an awareness—or fear—of karma.

Sean, Lauren, and Nora watch the parade from outside a coffee shop. Celeste approaches, pale and unsteady (398). Celeste reminds Sean that Jimmy killed Dave, and Sean can only say that he knows but has no proof. He swears he will try to prove it. A float passes—a baseball glove with a little league team standing inside. Michael is on it, with his eyes pointed down. Celeste follows, calling the name of her unresponsive son.