The Caretaker: A Novel

Naomi thinks back on her courtship with Jacob. When he revealed his parents’ threat to disinherit him, she was fully willing to marry him anyway. However, she admits to herself that she had been looking forward to being wealthy, knowing that the girls she worked with at the hotel would be envious.

Naomi recalls, too, the incident at the Hamptons’ store, admitting to herself that it had been childish to wear elaborate makeup and a dress that revealed her pregnant state. She presumes that the Hamptons have likely taken Jacob’s truck away from Blackburn and that this is why he has not visited. She hopes he has placed marigolds on Jacob’s grave on her behalf.

Naomi recalls them buying the farmhouse. Jacob took a job at a construction company, while Naomi found work in the hospital laundry. Now, she is nearly ready to take the GED test. She considers whether she might eventually be able to pursue formal education, such as a typing class. She is eager to provide a good life for Annie Mae but knows that her father would object to them moving away from the farm.

She is determined to visit Jacob’s grave soon, though she knows her father would disapprove.

Jacob finds himself developing feelings for Veronica, even though he wishes he did not. On the two-year anniversary of when he met Naomi, he orders two dozen roses for her grave. They are delivered and placed beside the vase of marigolds. When Jacob tells his mother this, she encourages him to visit the cemetery less so that he can move on with his life.

Cora and Daniel discuss the marigold delivery. Cora fears that Blackburn may now encourage Jacob to reach out to the Clarkes. They realize that their lie could be uncovered. Daniel contends that even if it is, the lie has been worth it to have had Jacob with them for a few months. Cora has secretly read the letters that Naomi sent to Jacob and could tell that she truly loved Jacob. Cora also thinks back to the time when she and Daniel convinced the town’s pastor to give the caretaking job to Blackburn after a request by Blackburn’s mother.

Cora goes to the cemetery to confront Blackburn. She makes him promise not to encourage Jacob to seek out the Clarkes and threatens to contact the pastor to take away Blackburn’s job if he does.

Blackburn is painting the church’s spire when Jacob approaches, bringing him a soda. He tells Blackburn about a nightmare he recently had that depicted Naomi as the soldier who drowned in the river in Korea. He then explains that he feels like he must make a decision as to whether he is going to remain in Blowing Rock or leave, noting that his parents assume that he will build a house in their pasture, just as they had always planned he would.

Blackburn thinks about Cora’s threat and knows that he cannot bear to search for another job since it would mean having to confront strangers who would see his partially paralyzed face for the first time. Likewise, he refuses to leave Naomi’s body alone in the cemetery.

Dr. Egan is accustomed to reading a book while he has dinner at the café each night, largely to prevent others from speaking to him. He selects one from his shelves, and as he walks toward the café, he passes the soda shop, where Jacob and Veronica Weaver are seated together. Egan muses about how the Hamptons may get their way after all, though he can tell through his check-ins on Jacob that he is indeed still grieving Naomi.

At the café, the pharmacist enters, and Egan invites him to join him.

Labor Day approaches, and Blackburn sees Jacob less, as he now visits the cemetery only on Wednesdays. One day, after helping the stone mason unload a headstone, Blackburn catches a ride into town with him. At the hardware store, Veronica asks to speak with him, though Blackburn tries to avoid her. She wants to know whether it is true that none of Naomi’s family ever visits her grave.

That Wednesday evening, Jacob arrives for his weekly visit and informs Blackburn that the farmhouse he owned with Naomi has finally been sold.

Naomi agrees to meet a man named Ansel for a date after her sister, Lila, presses her. Naomi insists that she must first visit Jacob’s grave. She assures Lila that she will do so late at night, but Lila remains skeptical that Naomi will not be seen. Naomi has purchased a black widow’s dress to wear and plans to leave a photograph of Annie Mae at the grave.

The day of Jacob and Naomi’s wedding anniversary is a cold and rainy one: Jacob places red roses on her grave, and he and Blackburn talk briefly. That night, Blackburn stays up later than usual, playing solitaire. When he hears the cemetery gate creak open, he assumes that it must be Jacob, returned to speak to Naomi one more time or perhaps leave something more on her grave.

However, when Blackburn sees that the figure at the grave is a woman dressed in mourning black, he exits the cottage and approaches her. He is so stunned when the woman appears to be Naomi that he stumbles and hits his head.

The next morning, he thinks that the encounter must have been a dream but then wonders if it was Naomi’s spirit trying to convey something to him. Blackburn examines Naomi’s grave and discovers a small, framed photograph of a baby with an inscription indicating that the image is of Jacob’s child.

Blackburn’s mind races: The thought that the baby is alive and that Lila (Naomi’s sister)—who must have been the woman at the grave—is caring for her is news that he feels Jacob must know immediately. However, after thinking things through, Blackburn decides that it is best to travel to the Clarke farm himself to obtain what information he can.

When Blackburn arrives, Mr. Clarke is guarded until Blackburn assures him that he has come without the Hamptons’ knowledge. Blackburn wants to know where Lila is keeping the baby, but Mr. Clarke is reluctant to reveal anything. When Blackburn tries to appeal to him by saying that he understands how hard the death of Naomi has been for him, Mr. Clarke becomes confused and then tells Blackburn that Naomi is alive.

Mr. Clarke insists that Naomi and her child are alive and staying with Lila for fear that the Hamptons know of her cemetery visit and will come looking for her. Blackburn refuses to believe that Naomi is alive unless Mr. Clarke tells him where Lila’s home is so that Blackburn can see her for himself. Mr. Clarke refuses but shows him a recent receipt for Naomi’s photography session with the child, as well as Naomi’s diary. Blackburn compares the handwriting there to that on the back of the photograph. As they realize that the Hamptons have lied to them both, Mr. Clarke is still not certain that he can trust Blackburn. Mr. Clarke, fearing legal repercussions from the Hamptons, discourages Blackburn from telling Jacob the truth. He proposes that Blackburn move onto his land and help him farm. He believes that Naomi has feelings for Blackburn and that, in time, she will fall in love with him. Blackburn drives back to North Carolina, thinking over the matter.

Blackburn returns to Blowing Rock and decides that he must proceed carefully before telling Jacob anything or making any sort of decision. He thinks of the Hamptons and the lies they have told and feels rageful. However, he then thinks of Annie Mae and wonders what the best course of action for her would be.

At the cemetery, Blackburn digs up the grave, unearths the casket, and opens it to find only blankets and sawdust. He recalls the blood pact that he and Jacob made as children.

Back at the Clarkes’ farm, Blackburn is allowed to see Naomi and her child at last. Lila feared that Blackburn would tell the Hamptons of Naomi’s visit to the cemetery, but Naomi was certain that Blackburn would keep the secret. Slowly, Blackburn reveals to Naomi that Jacob is alive. At first, she refuses to believe this news; then, she is fearful that Jacob has chosen to stay away from her and that he has taken part in the lie.

Blackburn assures her that this is not true and then opens the farmhouse front door to reveal that Jacob has come with him. The two embrace.

Four months later, Blackburn looks out over the cemetery, having dug another Hampton grave. His narrative insinuates that he has led the Hamptons to believe that Jacob has died by suicide. Jacob and Naomi plan to move to Louisiana, and Blackburn will move to the Clarke farm, taking Mr. Clarke up on his offer after all.