Chapter 4 begins with the narrator, Frank, reflecting on the profound loss of his wife, Colleen, who tragically passed away from a brain aneurysm while working at Michaels. Colleen’s sudden death left their ten-year-old daughter, Maggie, to grow up without the guidance and love of her mother. The emotional weight of this event was immense for Frank, who found himself grappling with overwhelming feelings of guilt, often wishing that he could have taken Colleen’s place. He believed that she would have been able to raise Maggie better, while he could have continued supporting them through his Teamsters pension, which was a stable source of income. As Frank navigated through the grief, he realized that his shortcomings as a father became more apparent, particularly due to the strained relationship he had with Maggie. This relationship, which had been marked by Maggie’s silence for three years, left Frank questioning his ability to connect with his daughter and provide the support she needed after such a tragic loss.

Despite the sorrow and challenges, a new chapter began when Maggie shared surprising news with Frank—she was engaged to Aidan, a man she had met only six months earlier. Frank’s initial reaction to this news was one of hesitation, especially when he learned that Maggie and Aidan were already living together. Although Frank wasn’t completely taken aback by their cohabitation, given the expensive cost of living in Boston, he still felt uneasy about the decision. Maggie’s previous apartment, which she had despised due to the presence of silverfish, seemed like a place she could no longer tolerate. Thus, her decision to move in with Aidan provided her with relief, both from the pest-infested apartment and from the pressures of living alone. Nevertheless, Frank’s protective instincts caused him to worry about the future of their living arrangement, particularly because he wasn’t sure whether Maggie was making this decision for the right reasons or if it was simply a way to escape her old living situation.

Even with his concerns lingering, Frank wanted to celebrate Maggie’s engagement and offered to take her out for a special dinner at a restaurant. He believed that this would give them an opportunity to bond over her exciting news, away from the stresses of everyday life. However, Maggie deflected his offer, suggesting instead that they hold the celebration at her apartment. This change in plan raised further alarms for Frank, who had heard troubling reports about the safety of the area where Maggie and Aidan lived. Frank couldn’t help but feel anxious about the potential risks of living in a neighborhood that was reportedly unsafe. His desire to protect Maggie from harm weighed heavily on him, even though he tried not to let it show. Despite his concerns, Frank agreed to meet Maggie and Aidan at her apartment, realizing that he had little choice but to respect their wishes. However, the unease he felt about the safety of their environment and the rapid pace of Maggie’s life changes remained in the back of his mind.

The chapter also highlights the growing tension between Frank’s desire to be supportive of Maggie’s decisions and his worries about her well-being. As the narrator prepares to meet Maggie and Aidan, he grapples with his protective instincts and the reality that his daughter’s life has changed in ways that are beyond his control. He wants to ensure that she is making decisions that will truly benefit her in the long run, but he also recognizes that he can’t hold on to her forever. The chapter conveys the complexity of a parent’s role in a child’s life, especially when the child becomes an adult and begins to make choices that might not always align with the parent’s own expectations. Despite Frank’s concerns, he resolves to support Maggie, understanding that his love for her must outweigh his apprehensions about her future. This chapter, filled with a mixture of worry and hope, sets the stage for further emotional exploration as Frank continues to navigate his relationship with Maggie, her new fiancé, and the changing dynamics of their family life.