Girl in Pieces

Blue comes to Tucson to stay with Charlie, who is disappointed to discover that her friend is still drinking. Blue’s easy camaraderie with Riley makes Charlie jealous. She grows increasingly resentful of Riley’s domineering behavior.

Blue’s first night in Tucson, she and Charlie drink together. Charlie notes how easy it has become. Blue reveals that she is not doing drugs or self-harming. At work, the staff discusses the upcoming Day of the Dead parade. Temple says that Charlie will love it because “[i]t’s a giant art party in honor of the human spirit” (314). Thinking privately about her father’s spirit and the part of Ellis that vanished, Charlie privately disagrees. Blue turns up at the end of her shift, chats easily with the staff, and insists on finally meeting Riley.

Charlie and Blue find him on his porch playing music. Blue is immediately comfortable around him. Not knowing how to read the situation, Charlie is jealous and wonders if they are flirting. Riley seems happy, making Charlie wish she could have him all to herself. When Riley asks how they met, Blue reveals more than Charlie wants Riley to know. Charlie realizes Riley does not remember that she was homeless.