Darren drives Kirby to work every day but doesn’t invite her to any of his many family events. Kirby longs to be closer. She’d even like to double-date with Patty and Luke, though the latter have kept their distance since Kirby rejected Tommy. She angles for entry into Darren’s world, but he dodges her requests. Finally, they arrange a beach date. He asks Kirby to meet him at a nearby market but when she passes his house, she knocks on the front door instead. Judge Frazier is in the kitchen. When Darren comes downstairs, Judge Frazier tells him to “get out of here before your mother gets home” (257), and Kirby realizes again that Darren’s parents don’t approve of her.

At Lobsterville Beach, the couple enjoys a swim, beer, and some pot. They kiss passionately, but Kirby tells Darren that she wants to wait before having sex. He agrees. Kirby gets teary as she thinks of Scottie, his aggressive sexuality, and the fact that she’s as much a secret in Darren’s world as she was in Scottie’s. She asks Darren if his parents know that they’re dating, and he answers no, admitting that his mother objects. She decides to tell Darren about her former relationship.