The First Veil (pgs. 22-48) Summary

Back at home after the violent incident at college, Ellen Cherry stays in her room for days. She overhears her mother, who supports Ellen's art and attendance at college, tells her father that Ellen Cherry is "free, white, and 18." Inspired by those words, Ellen Cherry sneaks out, borrows $500 from Boomer, and takes a bus to Cincinnati on her way to Seattle. She takes a job as a waitress and graduates from art school. She enjoys some moderate success locally and is generally happy with her life, although she hasn't met a man that satisfies her sexually like Boomer had.

The story behind the turkey is finally revealed. Boomer's father had bought an Airstream RV for retirement, but after he died, he left it for Boomer. After getting the idea in his head, Boomer attaches steel...