43. A Microscope

Summary

• In September 1969, after being attacked by Chase, the protagonist gets a letter from her editor inviting her to a meeting in Greenville, which she reflects on as she walks down the beach.
• She travels by boat into the marsh and sees Tate on a sandbar, conducting scientific research. She attempts to hide her bruised face from him and initially tries to avoid his company.
• Tate invites her to try out his new microscope. Curiosity overcomes her reluctance, and she comes to see him. She is awestruck by the marvels that the powerful microscope reveals from a simple drop of marsh water.
• Kya displays an evasive behavior that perplexes Tate until he notices the fading bruise on her face. He tries to inquire about it, but she lies about the cause and diverts the conversation to her upcoming book.
• Tate asks her to consider meeting her editor in Greenville by taking the bus from Barkley. They spend time talking, after which she declines his offer for wine and decides to leave. Tate gives her some leftover bread to feed the gulls.
• On her way home, she spots Chase’s boat approaching her house. To hide from him, she lies flat on the sand until he leaves. She decides to tell Tate about Chase's attack but ultimately decides against it out of embarrassment.
• Fearing another confrontation with Chase, she hides her boat in a thicket of trees and waits until nightfall to return home. That night, she spends her time on the beach near her house with the gulls, unable to sleep due to fear of Chase returning.
• By morning, Kya finds no joy in the company of the birds. With Chase looming over her life and causing her constant fear, she contemplates drowning herself in the sea and finding peace in death.