Girl in Pieces

Charlie knows her relationship with Riley is unhealthy but cannot pull herself away. Drawing other tenants in her building brings her happiness, but a troubling encounter with Julie raises more red flags about True Grit’s financial stability.

On her way to Riley’s, Charlie is caught in a monsoon. After lending her dry clothes, Riley tells her that he loves this weather. Recalling being outdoors with nowhere to get dry, Charlie replies that she does not, then admits she was once homeless, feeling that he will understand. Riley is sympathetic and tender, wrapping her in a blanket and making her tea.

One evening when Charlie is drawing, Riley shows up at her apartment drunk with presents: a bag of short-sleeved shirts and an art postcard. He reveals that he has seen her looking at art books at the library, where he goes to read. When he begins stroking her leg, Charlie recalls Louisa saying no one would ever love them normally, but she wants a physical relationship. She and Riley have a sexual experience that Charlie is ambivalent about.

The following day, they wake up and get coffee, “[l]ike a couple” (248). Charlie is aware that the coffeehouse staff is talking about them, but Riley spreads “a veil of protectiveness over” her by chatting and joking with her and the staff (250).