Jess is injured on the job, nearly losing a finger. While she is in the hospital, her friend Duffy discovers that she was set up to get hurt by an envious male co-worker. Duffy pursues a union investigation into the incident even though Jess tries to tell him that there are no legal protections for people like her and he is fighting a losing battle. Being a good friend and consummate worker’s advocate, he tries to do what he can for Jess and get her adequate compensation. While she is recuperating on paid leave, Jess spends a great deal of time at Abba’s. There, she meets Rocco, a butch lesbian who is taking steroids and has had breast surgery. Rocco makes the narrator think about Al, and to miss and admire her again. Jess begins to fall for Edna, the ex-lover of a good friend, Jan. Though Jess is absolutely lovelorn for Edna, she can’t bring herself to betray a friendship.

Along with Jan, Jess takes a job at a steel mill. Her friend Duffy, who she learns is a communist, is sad to see her go. She tries to explain that this is an important move to her, one that will bring her security and company among other gay and lesbian workers.