Girl in Pieces

Cutting off her hair makes Charlie feel exposed, but she begins using her voice again. She reconnects with a friend from her past who evokes conflicting emotions.

In the cafeteria, Charlie’s shorn hair startles the other girls. Noting the severity of her scars, Isis asks Charlie what she used, calling her “Chuck” (48). Charlie opens her mouth to respond, but Louisa answers for her. When Isis calls her Chuck again, Charlie corrects her in a clear voice.

In therapy, Casper asks Charlie how the “[b]ig changes” feel and insists she answer with her voice (51). Hiding her face in her hoodie, Charlie responds, “Ugly” (51, italics in original). Casper asks whether she means “it” or “you,” saying that the difference “will be integral to your healing” (67, italics in original).

Engrossed in her online studies, Charlie has not concerned herself with Jen’s frequent disappearances, but when Barbero falls asleep while Jen is gone, Charlie opens a gmail account and messages Mikey. They exchange news until Barbero wakes up and sees that she has been sending unauthorized messages. Charlie’s visitor privileges are revoked.

Charlie later learns from Louisa that Jen was having sex with Doc Dooley and is being kicked out of the center.