Machado discusses her lifelong love for liminal spaces and the far ends of emotional, physical, and intellectual spectrums. She describes a time in her childhood when she went snorkeling in a coral reef off the coast of Cuba with her brother. She experienced vertigo and became fearful of the reef’s drop-off despite her longing to get closer to it.

The narrative returns to Machado’s abusive relationship. She drives her partner to Bloomington, Indiana and the house she will live in during her MFA program. Machado calls this the Dream House. The partner’s parents also help with the move but interact little with Machado other than giving her a vague approval for being in their daughter’s life. Val will soon join the partner in the Dream House.

The word “Bloomington” becomes a “promise” to Machado. The word takes on a more beautiful meaning for being associated with her partner.