Saint has been trying to raise Charlotte through Patch's absence by any means she can find. Saint reads parenting books, takes advice from Norma when Charlotte stops eating, from Dr. Caldwell when Charlotte stops sleeping, and from Mrs. Meyer when Charlotte's grades begin to fall. On Saturdays, Saint and Charlotte spend time with Sammy, but Charlotte shuts herself inside Patch's old studio, plays Nirvana at full volume, and pointedly refuses to paint.

Saint also builds weekly structure around Charlotte's withdrawal. Every Tuesday after school, Saint drives Charlotte to Rita Kohl, M.D., on the edge of Thurley State Park, but Charlotte sits in complete silence through therapy. The bills go to Charlotte's grandmother, and even the therapist is struck by how firmly Charlotte refuses to speak.

While they stand by the grave, Saint tries to open a conversation by mentioning a new newspaper piece about Patch and the growing value of his paintings. Charlotte rejects the subject immediately and tells Saint the clipping can be thrown away. The moment underscores how completely Charlotte resists both Patch's public image and other people's attempts to process her grief for her.

Saint then brings up Charlotte's attack on Noah, the boy who grabbed her, and says that perhaps he will think twice before doing the same thing to another girl. Saint awkwardly admits that she does not really know how to parent, because she did not have a mother herself. Charlotte finally states her position clearly: she wants to be left alone, does not want to be forced to talk, paint, or perform feelings, and refuses to accept being groped. In response, Saint stops trying to calm Charlotte's anger and instead aligns herself with Charlotte's need to defend herself, promising to teach her how to "disengage a testicle" that weekend.