Since their brief letter exchange, Grandma Flor has been calling Marci every week. Marci reports that Eddie has been nicer, but Flor senses that it’s because he has a girlfriend. She asks Marci and Corin to use the money she sent them to stay with her over their winter break. Marci agrees.

When Marci turns 12, her belief in God erodes. None of her prayers have been answered, and she starts to “think things might’ve happened in this world more like how my science books said” (222). Marci accepts that she will never turn into a boy, but this does not totally break her spirit: “If I’m gonna stay a girl I’d better figure out what to do” (223). 

After hearing her cries, Marci and Corin find Delia with their photos. She demands to know when they were taken; Marci lies, saying they were taken when Eddie left. Delia doesn’t believe her. She starts to slap Marci. Delia mimics Eddie’s abuse, grabbing his belt and folding “it in half and lifted it up to me” (225). As she does, Eddie comes home.

Eddie takes the belt from Delia. She shows him the photos, but he denies having an affair.