Summary

It is winter in 1955 and five months have passed. It seems more unlikely with each one that passes that Francis will return for Viola. She begins to save, wanting to leave as soon as she can. Each bus ride begins with gossip and jokes but soon dissolves as they travel into the white world they work in. When Barry Stuttle, one of the Deacon’s sons begins looking in her direction, Lucille and Olivia encourage her to move on. Viola had stopped attending church, too afraid of Reverend Tufts’s disapproval, despite knowing that she shouldn’t care. She is acutely aware that she will always be thought of as the woman Francis left behind. She figures she needs about $70 to tide her and Charles over until she can find work...