Summary

In Part 2, “Ruth,” four weeks after her daughter Denise’s birth, Ruth started longing for her old life. She had wanted to escape the Salvations. Now she longed for “the weightlessness of not being needed” (186).

Ruth’s only escape from motherhood was music. She looked through old records and “albums of the Salvations,” missing their old life (189). One night, she snuck out to the club after Gerry and Denise fell asleep. She was careful to hide from her sisters. When she got home, she was surprised to encounter Mary. Recognizing Ruth’s restlessness, Mary comforted her. She said Ruth was not “the only one with secrets” (194). Belmont had offered her a covetable price for her home. She was considering selling.

In “Esther,” contrary to Esther’s expectations, Chloe became “the new lead when Ruth left” (197). Despite her discouragement, she continued writing songs...