Summary

The short story “The Bath” by Raymond Carver follows a woman named Ann Weiss, who goes to a bakery and orders a cake for the birthday of her son, Scotty, who turns eight on Monday. Ann gives the baker her telephone number, and the baker promises that the cake will be ready on Monday, just in time for the party. 

On Monday morning, Scotty and another boy are walking to school. Scotty tries to convince his friend to tell him what present he is going to give him for his birthday. At an intersection, Scotty is hit by a car and decides to return home. After he tells his mother what happened to him, Scotty loses consciousness and is taken to the hospital. 

Scotty’s father comes to the hospital from his office and accompanies Ann, waiting for Scotty to wake up. Later on, the father deci...