Part 2: Torsion, Chapters 16, 17 and 18 Summary

It is now late winter 1960 and Persia's condition deteriorates to the point that Iris avoids going home at night, preferring instead to take long walks after she leaves her library job. One night, Iris arranges to meet Jinx at a diner called Kitty's Korner, and the two agree to talk in Jinx's car after the diner's patrons silently show their disapproval of a white girl meeting with a black boy. Jinx tells Iris that he has married a girl named Sissy Weaver and has abandoned all ideas of going to college or ever playing basketball again. Iris and Jinx end up sitting in Jinx's car for a while near the river, where Jinx, who understands the complications far better than Iris could ever imagine, halts their attempts at physical intimacy.

Persia's health continues to deteriorate and by...