The Caretaker: A Novel

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death, child death, death by suicide, mental illness, and ableism.

On the two-year anniversary of Jacob and Naomi’s first meeting, Blackburn receives a flower delivery. The owner of the flower shop shows him the card, which asks for marigolds to be given to Blackburn, explaining that he will know which grave to place them on. The card was sent from a Tennessee return address. Blackburn is certain that they are from Naomi’s sister and rushes to the store to tell Jacob. Jacob is confused since his mother told him that the Clarkes sold their farm and moved to Michigan. Then, he becomes angry that the Clarkes addressed the card to Blackburn, rather than to him. Blackburn is certain, however, that this was done to keep the action a secret from the Hamptons.

Blackburn continues with his errands, buying a gallon of paint. As he passes the pool hall, Billy Runyan yells at him to come inside. Billy, still angry from having been embarrassed when Naomi fired her shotgun to warn him away from her house, wants to seek revenge on Blackburn. The two get into a fistfight, and Blackburn is the winner.