Jess moves to a new building, where she can enjoy the sounds and smell coming from the apartment next door. Her new neighbor loves jazz, Jess can tell, and sews endlessly and bakes something delicious nearly every day. When they meet in the hallway, Jess noticed this neighbor’s Adam’s apple and broad hands. Ruth is visibly annoyed at Jess’s attempts to be friendly and get to know her. When Jess helps Ruth with her door keys one day, Jess overhears the voice of drag queens inside. Jess tells Ruth, “I need to talk to you,” but Ruth isn’t interested (249).

It takes a long time for Ruth’s demeanor around Jess to change. Ruth is very slow to trust Jess, but their relationship does slowly deepen. Eventually they begin to open up about their lives and past. Ruth begins to bring Jess food and flowers on a regular basis. They talk about their hopes and dreams and what they want from their lives.

One day on the subway, Jess is attacked by a group of three teenaged boys who beat her nearly unconsciousness. She wakes up in the hospital, her broken jaw wired shut.