The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy

Mercy runs after Hart. He says that he thought Nathan was her boyfriend, but she explains that Nathan is her ex. Surprising them both, Mercy invites Hart to her apartment for cake, and they walk back to Birdsall & Son with all the anticipation of a first date.

Mercy leaves Hart in the lobby while she goes upstairs to her kitchen and retrieves the cake. She also releases her dog, and Leonard rushes down to greet Hart. Downstairs, they eat the cake together, and Mercy tells Hart about her brother’s decision to become a chef and her father’s likely decision to sell the business to Cunningham. Hart asks, “What about you?” (222), and Mercy flushes with gratitude because he is the first and only person who has asked about her feelings on the matter. She tells him that she loves her job. She enjoys building boats, performing rites, and bringing peace to grieving families. Traditionally, however, undertaking is considered to be a male profession that is handed down from father to son, and she cannot ask her family to hold onto the sinking business for her own sake.

Hart discusses his demigod status, saying that although his mother was human, he does not know who his father is.