Uncle Sullivan’s heart condition makes it difficult for him to either sleep or walk without losing his breath. As he grapples with his inability to walk over to his window-facing armchair, he remembers when he gained local fame, three months earlier, as a healer. It began with the disappearance of pain in a woman from his former church, then her friend’s cancer. His gift became so in-demand that Teddy now regularly guards his uncle’s bed so that he can sleep. Father Sullivan questions his belief in the afterlife as he drifts off in his armchair.

He is awakened hours later to Teddy pacing the floor of his room, anxiously relaying the story of Tip’s accident and meeting his lost relatives. Teddy is desperate for Uncle Sullivan’s perspective and begs him to visit Mount Auburn. Uncle Sullivan becomes winded by rising from his chair and Teddy regrets asking him to make such a long journey. Uncle Sullivan agrees to go on the condition that his nephew does not expect him to heal Tennessee’s injuries. Teddy obliges, just as a nurse tells Father Sullivan that people are lining up outside for him to heal them.