At the next house, Taylor meets Lou Ann Ruiz. An immediate bond forms between them because they are both from Kentucky and speak the same dialect. Taylor and Lou Ann, both single mothers living at poverty level, decide to combine their resources and share Lou Ann's house. In effect, they create a community in which members are as concerned about others as they are about themselves. Aside from having children, the two mothers are quite different. Taylor is independent and spirited, whereas Lou Ann is fearful and feels worthless. Kingsolver again interjects humor to prevent the chapter's tone from becoming too depressing — Lou Ann and Taylor talk about Turtle, and Taylor notices Lou Ann's cat pawing at the carpet. Lou Ann thinks that the cat has a split personality because "the good cat wakes up and thinks the bad cat has just pooped on the rug."
Turtle's personality and demeanor haven't changed much in the time she's been with Taylor. Taylor understands that Turtle's experiences have had a major effect on her. When Taylor and Turtle first meet Lou Ann, Lou Ann whacks an ice tray against the counter to loosen the ice cubes and Turtle winces. Turtle's reaction suggests some previous emotional or physical abuse, but Kingsolver refrains from explaining the girl's obviously painful past.
When Lou Ann talks about her fear of flying and a particular airplane crash, Taylor recalls that she earlier saw on the news that the only survivor of the crash, a flight attendant, was rescued by a rope that had been dropped to her from a helicopter. The look on Turtle's face reminds Taylor of the look on the flight attendant's face as she gripped the rope. Although Taylor is growing more and more protective of Turtle, she cannot yet understand the causes for Turtle's mysterious actions. Later, when Lou Ann asks Taylor if Turtle is adopted, Kingsolver foreshadows the future because people don't "just dump [a baby] like an extra puppy."
