In this chapter, the narrator reflects on the events of the previous day. He is on his way home from work when he runs into his half-brother on the street. The two men have known each other for many years, and they have been friends ever since. The narrator is overcome with grief over the loss of her half-uncle, and he feels that he has no one who loves him as much as he does. He tries to imagine what it must be like to be in love with someone, but he is unable to express his feelings in words. He decides that he must act as if nothing has happened, as if he has nothing to say. He tells us that he had an assignment that evening, and that he and his friend could watch a movie later that evening. He asks his friend to order whatever he wants to eat, so that he does not have to eat anything. He then asks his pal to take his toothbrush with him, and to slide it into his drawer. He says that he will do this tomorrow as well, as his assignment is for the same evening.