Summary

In Chapter 9, Alma, a good student, has been working on getting into college for two years, but her hobbies and activities are not eccentric. Julia and Alma usually watch television together when they spend time together. Julia believes that this is not how mothers and daughters ought to spend quality time, but she also does not believe she is creative with such things. Julia has tried to speak with Alma frequently about sex. Julia’s mother never spoke to her about sex. Alma points out how Julia and Mark never fight even though they sometimes argue about small things.

In Chapter 10, Helen and her husband are about to go to Sanibel Island. Helen asks Julia to stop over the next day even though she will be gone to pick up a treat Helen made for Ben for his birthday. Mark can...