Summary

In Chapter 8, during a childhood visit to Italy with her family, Joan fell in love with “a boy named Massi” (63). She was 10. He was “the last boy to make [her] feel worthy” (63). She recalls an evening she spent with him, his family, and her parents. It was “the year before the year [her] parents died” (65). She wishes she had known at the time.

In Chapter 9, Joan “was hired at the health food store” (67). She did not want the job, but needed money. Outside the house, River said he had had a dream about Joan. He reminded her of a young guy she had dated in New York.

Joan went to work. She met a customer who reminded her of Big Sky. She considered the ways men “push you away to pull you in” (73).

Joan recalls meeting Big Sky, remembering where they went and...