Summary

In Chapter 8, "September 2018," Margarita had been living in Los Angeles "for years" (146). Today she had high hopes that the commercial she was shooting would change her life. Though she had worked as a model, she was often self-conscious about her appearance. On her way to the commercial, Margarita received a call about her overdue rent. The building manager was threatening to kick her out. She promised she would have the money by the end of the day.

During the shoot, Margarita received a call from her mother. Diane had been calling her repeatedly about Lacey's poor health. Off the phone, Margarita could not focus. She could not stop seeing "her mother gasping for air in a hospital bed" (152). After finishing the shoot, she learned that she would not receive the money she expected.

Afterwards, she and her friend, Celeste, made a video "in...