Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus

When Aven visits, she finds Josephine reading. Milford shyly compliments Josephine’s hair and says she looks “lovely,” but Josephine responds scornfully, deflating Milford. Aven wonders why she is so mean because Milford clearly likes her. Josephine insists she wants to be left alone and does not have time for a man’s needs. When Aven asks about Henry’s family, Josephine says he has no family, and no contacts except herself. Aven suddenly fears growing old. Josephine thinks Aven’s new desires to be a hermit or be homeschooled are bad, lonely ideas. Aven grumpily says she should find her birth father to get some more emotional support. Josephine denies knowing anything about him, but Aven thinks she is lying. Josephine asks about the boy Aven mentioned who likes her, but Aven will not talk about him, and Josephine suspects a problem. Asking about her progress with her horseback riding lessons also upsets Aven.

At her next horseback riding lesson, Aven does not want to practice her jump and does not want to move from a trot to a faster canter. She insists she is not ready or strong enough—for horseback riding or high school. Bill thinks she needs to regain her confidence.