Prologue, Chapters One and Two Summary

Mariah and her daughter, Faith, go to visit Mariah's mother, Millie, who has purchased a new "coffin table." The table is apparently a usable coffin that is to serve as a coffee table until it's needed as a casket. They leave and are nearing the ballet studio when Faith realizes she's forgotten her leotard. They return home, find Colin is there and rush upstairs only to discover both Colin and another woman showering together.

Three days pass, and Mariah continues to cry, as her mother pushes her into making herself presentable for a visit with Faith. Mariah asks "What's wrong with me" and her mother says nothing, "in spite of what that cretin wants you to believe." Millie predicts that Mariah will get through the situation and that Faith will help.

Mariah builds elaborate doll...