Freedom

Walter is now living at what was formerly called Nameless Lake. He resides in one of 12 homes at a development known as Canterbridge Estates Lake. The new tension in Walter’s life is his conflict with the neighborhood cats, which keep killing the birds in the neighborhood. His Evangelical neighbor, Linda Hoffbauer, is the owner of the worst offender, a cat named Bobby.

Walter has grown a large white beard and looks slightly unhinged to his neighbors, a fact that is not helped by his relentless campaign to protect the birds from the cats. First, he asks Linda to keep Bobby indoors. When she refuses, he distributes bibs that the cats can wear; the bibs will allow the cats freedom of movement but will block their attempts to pounce on birds. Finally, he puts up leaflets on the neighborhood lampposts, in memoriam to the fallen birds.

Walter captures Bobby, drives him three hours away, and leaves him in a shelter. On the way back, he contemplates his depression, his grief over his failed marriage, and his ongoing work with the Nature Conservancy. Walter’s life is empty and unsatisfying, although his relationships with Joey and Jessica are improving.