Out of the Dust

This section summarizes Poem 103: “Cut It Deep,” Poem 104: “The Other Woman,” Poem 105: “No Everywhere,” Poem 106: “My Life, or What I Told Louise After the Tenth Time She Came to Dinner,” Poem 107: “Thanksgiving List,” Poem 108: “Music,” Poem 109: “Teamwork,” and Poem 110: “Finding a Way.”

Doc Rice removes Daddy’s malignancies and chastises him for waiting so long. Billie Jo asks the doctor what he can do about her hands. Besides ointment, he advises her simply, “Use them, Billie Jo […] / They’ll heal up fine if you just use them” (210). Back at home, both Billie Jo and her father try harder to forge a more emotional connection. She allows his help as she attempts to clear out the two childhood boxes, and he acknowledges her boldness in seeking a new life. In “The Other Woman,” Billie Jo warily gets to know Louise, the teacher of her father’s night class who “stayed by” him when Billie Jo left. Louise cooks well and promotes Bayard’s help in helping to clean up after dinner. Billie Jo senses that Louise is not out to replace Ma—but Billie Jo wants to continue to foster her relationship with her father, and not allow Louise to “crowd” her out (214).