Summary

The first part of this section of the book is titled “Lavender,” and is subtitled “2019.” The narrative, written from the past-tense, third-person limited point of view, begins with a description of Lavender finding a degree of comfort in holding onto the locket in the pocket of her sweater, feeling “less like an accusation and more like a possibility” (263). The narration reveals that she is in The Blue House, and Blue is pouring her some coffee. The narration comments that Lavender sees a lot of herself in Blue, who met her at the airport when she arrived. At one point in their conversation, Lavender starts to cry.

The narration then describes how Lavender had settled into a quiet life in the compound with Sunshine, and how Blue had written her a letter at the address she had gotten from Cheryl. They correspond over...