Summary

In Chapter 11, Cicely sneaks down to the basement. Patsy asks Cicely what she sees in Marcus. Cicely says that living in America is hard, and you need a man to survive. Patsy counters that the two of them could live together. Cicely dismisses this, saying that Patsy is living in a dream world. Both of them have families now, which come with responsibility.

Patsy says she should probably look for somewhere else to stay. Cicely disagrees saying that she owes Patsy this much. Patsy denies that Cicely owes her anything, but knows what she is referring to. Cicely then asks Patsy to forgive her for everything. Patsy says, "Dat's like not forgiving ah onion fah making me cry" (125). Patsy slowly kisses different parts of Cicely's face, thinking of the jealousy yet adoration that she feels for her friend's beauty. Patsy remembers...