Out of Darkness

Naomi strikes up a friendship with her neighbor Muff, the wife of an oil field worker, who teaches her how to make southern food. Henry once complained about Estella cooking traditional Mexican fare, and Naomi has been made to understand that he expects country cooking.

While Wash develops a strong friendship with Beto and Cari, taking them fishing several times a week, Naomi tries to keep up with her domestic tasks. She finds peace in the length of Henry’s workdays, which keeps him away from the house for 12-16-hour periods. She shops at Mason’s store in Egypt Town, where one day she overhears two young women talk about Wash in a way that suggests he might be a romantic interest of theirs.

When Henry takes Beto and Cari to a diner they have wanted to try, he is reminded of the sign reading “No Negroes, Mexicans, or dogs” and tries to convince them to go elsewhere. Naomi is happy to be rid of Henry and encourages the twins to go to a different diner. The twins had planned to go fishing with Wash, so she brings her schoolbooks to the river to explain why they won’t be coming. Instead, Wash helps Naomi with her homework.