Across The Desert

Marty’s parents arrive at the café. Marty’s mother reprimands Marty, but Marty takes her parents out of earshot and explains what she surmises about Jo’s mother, Jo’s living conditions, and Jo’s involvement with Addie’s rescue. Marty’s mother hugs Jo and cries; Jo cries too, though she is not certain why. They take gas to Marty’s grandfather’s car; Matty’s father returns to the grandfather while Marty’s mother drives Jo and Marty to Jo’s apartment. In the car, the man whose bike Jo took calls, angry; she explains where to find it. Marty’s mother asks Jo to tell the whole story.

Once Jo explains, Mrs. Peterson asks about Jo’s mother. Jo hesitates, and Marty convinces Mrs. Peterson to tell Jo about Lucy: Lucy was Marty’s sister who became addicted to oxycodone after it was prescribed following wisdom teeth removal. When Lucy could not afford oxycodone, she tried heroin. The first time she tried it, she died because of an overdose. The Petersons began a charity, Lucy’s Hope, in Lucy’s memory to help people affected by opioid drug use. Mrs. Peterson says Jo cannot help her mother by hiding the secret. Jo cries on Marty’s lap in the back seat.