Olive's Ocean

Martha tells her mother she got the scratch from a bug and fell into the water trying to entertain Lucy. Alice bounces Lucy and applauds Martha for being patient with Lucy, commenting that Martha will make a good mother. Normally, such a comment would make Martha seethe, but today, she smiles amicably.

Under the doormat, Martha notices a piece of paper. It’s a note from Tate, with Tate telling Martha that he knows what to do.

Martha showers until the steam creates a strong fog. Her father and grandmother ask about the scratch, and Martha lies to them. In the hallway mirror, she examines the minor scratch. She pats the scratch and the other cheek, feeling like her thoughts are becoming orderly.

Under her bed in Godbee’s cottage, Martha stores Tate’s note, the jar of seawater, and Olive’s journal. Martha abandons her story about Olive and writes a poem that addresses the ocean, death, the kiss, and Tate.