Nic continues to ride his bike daily and work at the salon. Though his struggles with recovery continue, he maintains his routine. Nic is especially surprised and honored when Spencer and Michelle ask him to housesit and pet-sit for them while they are away on a trip to Calistoga. When they return, Michelle tells Nic that Spencer has taken ill. She asks him to house-sit and stay with their daughter, Lucy, while she takes Spencer to the hospital. Nic readily agrees, eager to help and repay all that they have done for him. He spends the night taking care of Lucy and reminiscing about his childhood.

Michelle tells Nic that Spencer is seriously ill with meningitis and has to remain in the hospital indefinitely. She asks him if he can look after Lucy and their house a little longer, and Nic is happy to help. Nic does not comprehend the severity of the situation until he sees Spencer in his hospital bed. He is terrified to see him “lying there, stuck full of tubes and surrounded by monitors…crumpled completely…shrunken” (170). Spencer maintains his positive attitude and tells Nic that even if he dies, he’s grateful for his life.