You Shouldn't Have Come Here

Calvin waits until noon for Grace to come out of her room. When she finally does, she scarcely speaks as he reveals Joe spent the night in jail, charged with arson. He says Betty will come by with new curtains. Calvin then asks if Grace has seen Albert, who disappeared when the police arrived. She points out that the lock on her door is backward, and asks if it was intentional. Calvin claims it was a mistake, and she goes out for a jog.

Wrestling with all that has happened, Grace runs down the driveway and twists her ankle. Calvin runs out to help, and she realizes “The pain was nothing compared to the fear I felt with Calvin’s hands on me” (243). He takes her back into the house, and she confronts his lies. Grace shows him the photograph of Albert. Calvin confesses he has been trying to present himself in the best light, thinking he did not have a chance with a woman like her otherwise. She then mentions his guestbook. He goes to the basement and returns with the guestbook—which lacks Briana’s signature. Calvin promises to make everything right: “I’m going to make sure you have a great last night on my ranch” (246).