Marci prays to become a boy. She asks this “not because I think I’m a boy […] It’s because I like girls” (9). She doesn’t believe that girls can fall in love with other girls. She wants to change before she’s 14 years old because her science books say that is when boys reach puberty.

Marci tries to avoid sin because she relies on God to answer her prayers. Her mother is unwilling to leave or confront Eddie, something remarked upon by Leti and Marci’s Grandma Flor.

Marci and Corin arrive home before their father. Marci prays for Eddie to be in a good mood, though her prayers “never made a difference” (10). She is already frustrated with God. When Marci sees that her mother is burning their dinner, she knows that Eddie will complain. Worse, she knows Delia will “look at him like a scared pup” if he does (11).

Marci recalls the first time she can remember Eddie beating her and Corin, though she doesn’t remember the cause. In her memory, Eddie hits her legs with his belt as he curses at her. After beating her, he turns to Corin.

Corin tries to flee, but Eddie grabs her by the hair and chokes her.