Ree nurses her brothers, who have developed colds, with whiskey and honey. Sonya, Blond Milton’s wife, comes to the house with a box of food and promises that she will ask someone to replenish their supply of wood. As Ree receives the food, she observes Sonya’s open dislike of her mother, due to her mother’s affair with Blond Milton that produced Sonny. Sonya inquires about Baskin’s presence at the house earlier in the afternoon and if Ree had any information about her father. Ree only responds that she would not have told the deputy anything even if she had information. As she prepares to leave, Sonya wonders aloud why the deputy talked to Ree a week before Jessup was required to be at court. After Sonya’s departure, Ree and her brothers sort through the box of food. Ree promises to prepare deer stew for the night if the boys watch and learn how to make it as well. 

Ree begins her search for her father by visiting her intimidating Uncle Teardrop, who lives down the creek. Uncle Teardrop received his epithet from the three tattooed teardrops falling from his scarred face, which were rumored to signify three gruesome acts he had accomplished in prison.