Part 2: Torsion, Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 Summary

Iris and Persia live in conflict during the summer of 1958. Persia works as a cocktail hostess at The Golden Slipper Lounge where her alcoholism flourishes. One day, Persia receives a bouquet of roses with a card from Duke commemorating the first official day of their divorce and Persia collapses in tears, an emotional display which infuriates Iris. The recent divorce between Duke and Persia has not diminished Persia's love for her ex-husband, and Iris is irate at Persia's continual emotional weakness on the subject.

Although Duke cannot leave Persia alone, Duke never seeks out Iris and it seems as if Duke has forgotten that he even has a daughter. In addition, Iris cannot abide Persia's return to alcohol and vows to get away from the household with its hidden liquor bottles just as soon as she is...