That evening, Floyd comes to Ree’s home with Ned and asks Gail to come home. He explains that the house seems lonelier and briefly tempts Gail with the promise of gifts and more freedom. However, when Gail demands that he no longer see Heather, Floyd does not immediately agree and goes outside. He returns momentarily, carrying a suitcase and Ned’s things. As he drives away, Ree comforts Gail while she breastfeeds Ned. She suggests that Floyd will eventually come back for Gail when household chores pile up with promises of no longer seeing Heather, but Gail only comments that Floyd is no longer attempting to lie about the affair. 

Ree, Gail, and Ned go grocery shopping. As they shop, Ree wonders if Jessup had done anything wrong. Gail, however, is certain that “he stole or he told. Those are the things they kill you for” (122). At home, they encounter Blond Milton and Catfish Milton speaking to another man. The girls quickly surmise from his car that the man must be from town.

The man approaches the women as they begin to unload their groceries. He introduces himself as Mike Satterfield from X Bail Bonds. Satterfield believes that Jessup is alive and on the run, and he is visiting Ree as part of the investigation.