The Secret Life of Bees

Lily and Rosaleen have now been with the Boatwright sisters for eight days, and Lily’s anxiety about being found out and tracked down is growing stronger. Lily’s mounting anxiety is exacerbated by her growing romantic feelings for Zach, August’s godson who has returned to work on the bee farm. These feelings, which are revealed to be shared by Zach at the end of the chapter, can never be acted upon because Zach is Black and understands the consequences of their relationship. Lily also seems to understand this and accepts Zach’s friendship. Lily feels the space between her and Rosaleen widen as Rosaleen moves into the house to share May’s bedroom with her because May often needs to be comforted and consoled at night. Zach shares his dreams of being a lawyer someday with Lily, and she shares her former desire to be a writer. Later, Zach gives Lily a notebook as a gift to encourage her to write.

August gives Lily another opportunity to tell her the truth, but Lily refuses it. Everyone in the house overhears Neil and June having a fight in which Neil ends up storming away after calling June a “selfish bitch” for not wanting to marry him.