Summary

Blythe began to build a relationship with Gemma over the weeks in Chapter 68. When Gemma spoke about Violet for the first time, she insisted that they had a wonderful relationship, but that her mother had “some issues” (237). When Blythe asked about Violet, she could not detect worry in Gemma’s demeanor. In Chapter 69, Blythe texted with Gemma from a new phone number. Gemma soon looked to Blythe for mothering support. One night, Gemma called Blythe about Jet’s chest cold. Blythe learned that Fox had gone on a trip, leaving Violet with Gemma without consulting her first. Gemma tentatively suggested leaving Violet home alone while she took Jet to the hospital, and Blythe quickly insisted that she do so. She succeeded in her intention to make Fox angry with Gemma. But she was not proud of her betrayal of her only friend.

In...