Three Women

Chapter 4 opens with an anecdote about Maggie being demoted to a lower soccer team at school. She decides to give it up. She has no adult supporters to encourage her to persevere. Knodel is cited as the exception in her life, the sole adult who listens and cares.

Maggie resumes recollecting Hoy’s cross-examination. Hoy asks Maggie if she confided in Knodel about her “experiences in Hawaii” (59). He is referring to 16-year-old Maggie having sex with her brother-in-law’s 31-year-old friend Matteo (59). Maggie’s lawyer (the prosecutor of the case) objects to this line of questioning. Maggie is protected by rape shield laws, which prevent rape and sexual assault victims from being asked about other sexual encounters.

Maggie reflects on the experience in Hawaii. In a flashback she describes visiting her sister Melia and Melia’s husband, Dane, in Hawaii. One night, Maggie attends a toga party with Dane where she meets his colleague Matteo. A few days later Matteo comes to take her out to dinner. Maggie, who finds Matteo attractive and is flattered by his attention, is excited to go on a date with him. They walk on the beach afterwards, and Matteo kisses her.