Bela, Daddo, and Grandma Ruth wait late at a Big Boy restaurant near Grandma Ruth's house after the police search the house and the Loblolly Pines. Daddo reports that the police found no intruder, which leaves the family with no ordinary explanation and no real relief. Bela notices that Grandma Ruth does not pretend everything is fine, and the adults' repeated looks toward Bela underline how worried they are.

Daddo says someone is coming, and Lois Anthony arrives in a green car and joins them at the table. Grandma Ruth immediately asks whether Lois can help, but Lois says she cannot promise that yet. Lois explains that she belongs to a group that meets to talk about situations like this, and Daddo admits that, at this point, Lois understands more than the family does.

Lois questions Bela about whether Other Mommy ever tries to make deals. With Daddo's help, Bela explains that Other Mommy wants to get into Bela's heart and has spoken of "reincarnation," meaning Bela would go where Other Mommy comes from while Other Mommy takes Bela's place. When Lois asks whether that place is the closet, Bela corrects her and says Other Mommy said she does not come from the closet. From this, Lois concludes that Other Mommy is not a ghost but an entity attempting possession, which shocks Daddo and confirms Grandma Ruth's suspicion that it is trying to work its way into Bela.

Lois warns Bela as clearly as possible never to say yes to Other Mommy, because consent would let the entity in. The warning overwhelms Bela, and Bela starts crying while even the waiter can see the family is not okay. When Grandma Ruth asks for a plan, Lois proposes that her group try to meet Other Mommy and tell it to stay away. Daddo hesitates, but Grandma Ruth immediately approves, encouraged for the first time by a direct, aggressive response.