Alice sets up a sewing station at the cottage and recounts her awkward grocery store encounter to Nan, who is subdued and declines a fabric run, opting to nap after lunch. They briefly discuss decorating the wood-heavy cottage with floral fabrics in memory of Joyce, while Alice recalls her teenage sewing days and fading desire to stand out.

With Nan resting, Alice changes into a bathing suit, packs her Pentax K1000 film camera, and takes out the cottage’s small motorboat. After tentative practice loops, she explores the lake, passing neighboring cottages and water activity. The outing contrasts with the professional “armor” she wears at industry events in the city, highlighting the relief of anonymity and simple interactions.

Alice stops at a small island near a cliff she remembers from childhood. She watches four teens on Jet Skis climb and leap repeatedly, stirring bittersweet reflections on her shy seventeen-year-old self, overshadowed by her glamorous sister, Heather, and feeling unseen at home until finding belonging with university photography friends.

When one teen invites her to join, Alice declines but is struck by clarity about how to spend the summer. She acknowledges her recent breakup and career compromises, and decides to reclaim a sense of adolescent freedom.

Inspired by the old photo of the yellow boat and the bold girl in a gold bikini, Alice drafts a bucket list that includes jumping off the rock, wearing a skimpy suit, reading smut, throwing herself a birthday party, kissing a cute guy, making both good and bad art, learning flips off the dock, trying water sports, skinny-dipping, making a new friend, doing something reckless, riding a Jet Ski, wearing glittery makeup, putting on a green dress, trying mild drugs, and sleeping under the stars. She plans to start with a birthday party when Luca and Lavinia visit.

After shooting a roll of film and swimming, Alice heads back. Distracted by a flash of yellow—the vintage speedboat she noticed before—she mishandles the throttle and scrapes onto a submerged rock, jolting forward and stranding the boat. A yellow speedboat pulls alongside, and the green-eyed man from the grocery store recognizes her, greeting her with a teasing “Whoa.”