Summary

Back in the present, Libby decides that she’s going to dye her hair red. She remembers what Ben said about her looking like her mother. She thinks it might be effective for getting in touch with Diane again because it could make her nostalgic. She calls back Lyle, who has left several messages after she had gone to see Runner.

He comes over, and Libby explains what happened and how frustrating it is because everyone is lying about something. Lyle tells her about a forest fire he accidentally started when he was younger and how he identifies with Libby because he knows how something you do as a child can get out of hand. He invites her to his birthday party, saying that he wants Libby there because she’s his friend.

Analysis

For the first time in her life, Libby has someone...