THURSDAY, JUNE 17. Adele and Sookie spend the day cleaning in preparation for Bill’s visit. After inviting him in, they discover that the vampire is actually a local—just not a recent one. A Confederate soldier, he returned safely from the Civil War only to fall prey to a vampire. As was customary for vampires at the time, he then left the area so that he would not be recognized. Now that the vampires have revealed themselves, he’s finally come back to reclaim his ancestral home, which lies across the cemetery from Sookie’s house. Adele happily questions him about the past and about her late husband’s family, and they set a date for him to speak with the Descendants. Sookie and Bill go for a walk, and he meets her cat, Tina. Sookie is able to completely relax in Bill’s presence, and he admits that he is enjoying her company as well. She carefully asks questions about vampires, and they discover that she cannot be glamoured. She also gets Bill to levitate for her. They speak a bit about Sookie’s telepathy and how hard it has been on her, about Bill’s family before his turning, and about his difficulties in getting workers to come to his house for renovations. Sookie offers to help. She gives in to her impulses and kisses him good night when he walks her back to her door.

FRIDAY, JUNE 18. Sookie finds various contractors willing to be called at night by a vampire. Sam calls to tell her that Dawn, one of the Merlotte’s waitresses, did not show up for work, and Sookie arranges to take part of Dawn’s shift that evening. While at work, she inadvertently reads Arlene’s mind, and Arlene snaps at Sookie, bringing her almost to tears. Sam comforts her, reminding her that it’s not her fault that she can read minds, and she reveals the torment of trying to function with the thoughts of others in her head. After she confirms that she cannot read Bill’s mind, Sam invites her to read his sometime, something she has always tried to avoid doing.