Geek Love

Oly, in the book’s narrative present, describes her swimming lessons with Mary Lick. Oly struggles with the knowledge that she must kill Miss Lick, who smiles and holds Oly aloft in the water and barks at little girls not to stare at the hunchback. Oly internally rages at Miranda for putting her in this position.

Miss Lick drops Oly off at the address Oly has given Lick and then Oly must return to her actual building, in order to take care of Lil’s chores. Oly climbs the fire escape in case Miss Lick is having Miranda’s building watched, silently castigating herself. Oly collects Lil’s garbage and for the first time, Lil thanks her in a clear voice. Oly goes to Miranda’s apartment and asks her to keep an eye on Lil, to which Miranda agrees. Oly wishes to stay in her comfortable, familiar room, rather than having to return to the sterile false apartment that is part of her charade, but she forces herself to go back.