The Good Daughter

Sam sits in the garden behind the hospital and considers how she and Charlie might handle Rusty’s end-of-life care. Sam remembers how she wanted to keep Anton alive at all costs. Charlie joins Sam and raises her sister’s anger issues. Sam tells Charlie that she is managing the anger well, but something about Pikeville “brings out the meanness in me” (262). Charlie updates Sam on the shooting, including her involvement with Huck. Sam realizes he is Mason Huckabee, the brother of a young woman who took her own life after surviving rape. Rusty had successfully defended the accused. Charlie is shocked by this.

Sam and Charlie discuss their family situations and not having children. The sisters discuss Kelly Wilson. Kelly has intellectual disabilities, opening the possibility of diminished capacity in defense. Sam tells Charlie she will manage Kelly’s arraignment. Charlie asks her to reconsider her decision, as being in Pikeville may be too overwhelming for Sam but Sam is decided.

Sam and Charlie drive to the courthouse to see Kelly. On the way, Zach’s children see them and jeer and make threats. Sam stands up to them and they back off. Lenore arrives and says that Kelly’s arraignment has been moved up to today.