The narrative shifts to Gemma’s point of view as she and Lyn discuss Cat’s accident. Cat will have to go to court for the car crash and DUI, but Gemma thinks having a criminal record is exciting. The two sisters help Cat get settled after Dan moves his things out. Gemma tries to kid Cat out of her depression but fails. Cat finds a plush baby toy and mournfully tells her sisters that she’s never going to have a child of her own.

Gemma’s mind drifts back to her initial meeting with Marcus. At first, their relationship seems like a fairy tale romance. He takes charge of Gemma and gives her life focus. Then, unexpectedly, Marcus’s behavior changes. Gemma accidentally misplaces a corkscrew, and he becomes violently angry. His subsequent behavior alternates between attentive lover and abusive bully. Gemma takes his moods in stride and says, “The only thing to do was to wait it out, to fold herself up inside, to pretend she was somewhere else. It was like ducking under a big wave when the surf was especially rough” (228).

Over time, Gemma thinks about leaving Marcus, but he threatens dire consequences if she tries.