How to Make Friends with the Dark

Content Warning: This section discusses themes of grief, parental loss, and trauma. It also contains descriptions of substance abuse, addiction, and domestic violence.

Shayna finds Tiger intoxicated and passed out in the backyard shed, and she is furious. She has been worriedly texting Tiger’s friends, unable to find her. Shayna expresses concern about Tiger’s uncharacteristic drinking and her new friends’ influence. Tiger protests, saying they are the only people who understand her. She heads off to bed, telling Shayna to leave her alone.

Shayna and Tiger don’t talk much for a couple of days after the drinking incident. Tiger breaks the silence when she sees that Shayna is red eyed after texting Ray, but Shayna brushes it off, not wanting to add to Tiger’s problems.

During grief group counseling, Walrus has a surprise proposal: He asks the teens if they would like to spend a week together at the ranch after school closes. They would be working with the horses alongside their regular sessions, as a therapeutic exercise. Everyone is in except Lupe, who has a university orientation event at the same time.

It is the evening of the Memorial Days dance, and Mae-Lynn and Tiger watch the proceedings from outside.