The Darkest Child

The siblings convene at Martha Jean’s house. Tarabelle tells Carol Sue that she doesn’t have to tolerate physical abuse from Harvey. Mattie is now married to a man. Reverend Nelson told Tarabelle that she’s going to hell because she didn’t honor her mother. Tangy returns home; Rozelle has cut off most of Laura and Edna’s hair, believing this will make the spell work better.

Tangy spends the night with Martha Jean. In the morning, Mushy scolds Rozelle for cutting Laura and Edna’s hair off, then announces she’s coming to stay with Rozelle.

Sometimes, Mushy and Rozelle fight, but other times, they get along. Mushy is again seeing Richard Mackey, who’s still married. Rozelle disapproves of this, and Mushy calls her a hypocrite.

On New Year’s Eve, the Quinns visit Pearl and Frank’s house. Mushy reveals that Rozelle tried to get Frank to rape her when she was a child, but he wouldn’t do it. Frank was seeing Rozelle as a sex worker and buying her lots of presents. Pearl says she doesn’t want to be Rozelle’s friend anymore, and she wants Rozelle to give her any presents she received from Frank. Rozelle shoves Edna toward Pearl because she’s Frank’s daughter. Rozelle and the other kids leave.