Mrs. Everything

The next year of college, when Bethie is a freshman, Jo keeps attending equal rights demonstrations. She keeps to herself, worried others will find out she’s a lesbian and disown her—but she’s attracted to Shelley Finkelbein, a lovely girl with dark hair and gray eyes. Shelley is a wealthy, educated political activist; she fought her landlord who didn’t allow her Black date into her house. After a few encounters with Shelley in a class she dropped and watching her in a play, Jo becomes more interested in Shelley.

One day during class, a boy rushes in to declare Kennedy has been shot. Jo and others flock to the campus TVs. Shocked and panicking, they cry over Kennedy’s assassination. Shelley is by the TVs too; she turns to Jo, asking for a walk to calm down. They bond over their shared activism, love of Kennedy, and strained relationship with their parents. Although her parents treat their Black help well, Shelley believes they still treat them more like pets than people. Jo agrees and wants to kiss her, but Shelley mentions her boyfriend.

The next day, they attend a demonstration, then return to Shelley’s apartment. Again, Jo thinks Shelley wants Jo to kiss her, but she resists.