Summary

Bess sees Mrs. Aetos at Rite Aid in 2009, and she expresses sympathy for Joni and Bess. Bess starts to hyperventilate and calls Joni. Bess tells her parents that she has decided not to go to NYU because there is still so much press coverage. She cannot stand the thought of how people at college might see her. Steven is angry at Bess because of how they all have to put up with her sadness and depression when she should be getting on with her life that is just beginning. It is this moment that makes her realize that she has to leave in order to allow her family to move on.

Bess goes to see Joni and tells her that she wants to go to Berkeley with her, but Joni tells her that she has decided to stay in New York because...