The Little Friend

Harriet misses Ida and Libby and regrets being rude to both women. Charlotte does occasional chores but neglects basic ones, so the house gets even dirtier. Harriet resists her mother’s efforts to bond.

Harriet also misses people who are still alive, such as Edie, who is busy dealing with legal and financial matters after Libby’s death. Libby used to keep the peace between the sisters, but now, Edie and Adelaide argue a lot. Harriet continues to practice holding her breath at the pool and floating in a “dead man’s” pose. Because they have different teachers and Hely is in band, Harriet and Hely don’t see each other as often.

She sees Danny climbing the water tower one day. He starts coming down, so she runs to the river. She spots Lasharon Odum wearing the gloves Ida gave her. She hits her and takes the gloves, although she knows somebody gave them to her.

Danny did not steal the meth in the water tower, but he senses that Farish is suspicious of him. Danny also found an old photograph of himself near the water tower, and wonders if Farish put it there to scare him. Farish and Danny’s conspiracy theories grow more bizarre as their drug use continues.