During the summer of 1955, Audre works at the library and Muriel does odd jobs for their friends. On the weekends, they go to bars and write poetry. They read books from the library and used bookstores. Bea’s ex-lover, Lynn, comes to live with them. Before she dated Bea, Lynn was married to a man who died in a car crash, and now Lynn lives with the guilt. Audre admits to herself that she is attracted to Lynn, and she and Muriel and Lynn discuss the possibility of collective love: “What we were trying to build was dangerous, and could have enormous consequences for Muriel and me” (212). Audre believes her love for Muriel is strong enough to withstand being tested.

Audre shows up to work without sleeping on many occasions, making up a story about her sick boyfriend. She comes home one day to find Muriel and Lynn getting out of bed together. She is partially furious, but then goes to bed with Lynn herself. They focus their attentions on Lynn; Audre gets her a job at another library and a different apartment, although she spends most of her time in their apartment.