In this chapter, Guillory reflects on the past ten years, during which he has been the head of the local chapter of the American Society of Horticulturalists. He reminisces about his days as a young man, when he was a devoted member of the community. He tells his son that he is ashamed of what he has done, especially with regard to the trans-plant controversy. He also tells him that he has decided to form a special committee of local citizens to advise the new mayor on how to proceed with the city. He asks his son if he has caught the children's stomach bug, and the boy says he has not.