The chapter shifts into Saint's memory of arriving in Monta Clare with her grandmother, Norma, and discovering an abandoned Langstroth hive in the yard of their tall house on Pinehill Cemetery Road. Fascinated, Saint spends nearly a year wearing Norma down until she agrees to let her keep bees. Saint studies library books, recites bee facts on Norma's bus route, and finally wins her over with persistence and a ridiculous imitation of a bee's waggle dance.

Once Norma agrees, the two repair the hive together through the summer. Saint assists eagerly while Norma handles the practical work, and when the bees finally arrive, both become invested enough that Norma checks on them at night. Saint devotes herself to the hive, doing schoolwork nearby, learning through mistakes, and enduring repeated stings while trying to master beekeeping.

By early fall of 1973, Saint successfully harvests and jars her first honey. She shares some with girls she hopes might become friends and tries selling the rest on Main Street, where Norma fiercely protects her from interference. The small business matters to Saint because it turns her solitary obsession into something she can proudly offer other people, even if the profits are poor.

On the last day of summer break, Saint notices Patch standing by the gate with one of her handmade invitations that he has altered to include his own name. He claims he has come for honey and a tour, spouts nonsense mixed with charm, and becomes the first child in Monta Clare to show real interest in what Saint loves. Saint lets him stay and shows him the hive and honey house, but when she returns with crackers and a spoon, Patch has already eaten a large amount of honey with his hands and starts flirting badly. Norma interrupts the scene, hears Saint explain that Cupid supposedly sent him, and orders Patch off the property, marking Saint and Patch's first meeting.