Chapter III delves into the narrator’s struggle with the absence of their mother and the arrival of Miss Rosemary, who, despite her well-meaning efforts, cannot replace the emotional gap left by their mother’s absence. Miss Rosemary brings along her two younger children, Roberta and Will Junior, hoping to offer some companionship to the narrator and their brother, Samson. However, the siblings are less than thrilled by this arrangement, as the absence of a television and their own reluctance to connect with the guests leaves them feeling distant and uncomfortable. The atmosphere in the house becomes more strained as the family adjusts to this forced interaction, each member processing their grief and unease in their own way.

When Miss Rosemary’s daughter, Bobbi, enters the room, her presence only adds to the tension. At sixteen, Bobbi is openly disdainful of being at the house, showing little respect for the family’s situation. She carelessly sifts through their mother’s unfinished artwork, her actions signaling a lack of sensitivity toward the family’s pain, especially since their father is hospitalized. Meanwhile, Will Junior, Bobbi’s younger brother, tries to smooth over the awkwardness by encouraging Bobbi to show respect, especially given the gravity of their father’s illness. Despite his attempt to mediate, the difference in maturity between him and Bobbi becomes apparent, with Will Junior acting as a quieter, more solemn figure, seeking to connect with the narrator and Samson in a more considerate manner.

Bobbi’s teenage defiance takes center stage as she complains about the situation and dramatically lounges on the sofa, with eye shadow and a pierced eyebrow that reflect her rebellion. This behavior leaves the narrator intrigued and slightly puzzled, wondering how Miss Rosemary manages to parent her daughter. Will Junior, in contrast, is neat and composed, trying his best to engage with the narrator and Samson about their father’s health and expressing his hope for his recovery. While Will Junior’s intentions are undeniably kind, the narrator feels awkward and uncomfortable, caught between a sense of gratitude for his kindness and a growing sense of guilt for not having prayed for their father’s recovery sooner.

As the day progresses, Samson, struggling with his own emotional turmoil, retreats with his deceased pet turtle, symbolizing his vulnerability and the deep sense of loss he feels. Meanwhile, Will Junior attempts to offer comfort by mentioning the food they’ve brought, specifically meatloaf made by their mother, thinking it might ease their pain. However, the mention of food falls flat, as the narrator quickly realizes that no meal, no matter how thoughtfully prepared, can heal the deeper emotional wounds they are experiencing. This realization underscores the theme of the chapter: the visit is not about food or superficial comfort, but about the complexities of coping with grief and loss. The dynamics between the characters illustrate the discomfort of forced social interactions, the varying levels of empathy from the visitors, and the challenges the family faces as they attempt to navigate their feelings in the wake of their father’s hospitalization.

This chapter reveals the nuances of coping with family crises, especially the emotional weight of missing a key figure in the family while trying to engage with others who don’t fully understand the depth of the situation. The complex interactions between the narrator, Samson, and their visitors emphasize how grief can create walls between individuals, even those who share a common bond of family. The discomfort felt during this visit highlights the emotional distance that often arises in times of crisis, as everyone deals with their emotions in different ways. Through these interactions, readers are shown the difficulty of finding solace, especially when well-meaning gestures fall short of addressing the real emotional needs that the family is grappling with.