Bright Young Women

Ruth arrives at her mother’s house for the memorial. Her brother, Rebecca, and her ex-husband are all attending. When Ruth sees her ex-husband, she decides to leave, because her mother promised that he wouldn’t be attending. Ruth knows that her mother is trying to make it look as though Ruth is still happily married. Ruth realizes that Tina is right: Her family is toxic and will never accept her. Ruth’s father died in a car accident after having a heart attack while driving; this occurred after an argument in which Ruth asserted that she “was a homosexual, and they both knew I was because my father was one too” (322). Ruth leaves the memorial and heads to the lake to meet Tina.

Pamela learns that the judge wants to question her before she testifies because of concerns that Tina is unduly influencing Pamela and thus Pamela shouldn’t be allowed to testify. Ruth’s mother, Shirley, claims that Tina manipulated her daughter and is making false claims about Tina’s disappearance. People keep reassuring Pamela that even if The Defendant isn’t found guilty of killing Denise and Roberta, he’ll be convicted and executed for the murder of Kimberley Leach (because evidence in this case is much stronger).