In West Mills

Early the next morning, Knot arrives at the Lovings’ house and, unusually for her, knocks. Otis Lee answers. Agitated, Knot demands to see him and Pep together at once. Otis Lee tries to calm her down, and she tells him what she heard from Fran: that Pep told Fran, Eunice, and Breezy that Knot is Fran and Eunice’s mother on the night that she found them fighting in her yard. Thinking Otis Lee was in on the secret, Knot confronts him for never telling her. Before Otis Lee has a chance to explain that he never knew, Pep appears and explains that her responsibility to do what is best for Breezy outweighed her promise to keep Knot’s secret, and that Knot gave up her rights to manage her children’s lives when she gave them away. As Knot leaves, Pep calls out, “They’s more to worry ‘bout in life than drinkin’ and readin’ them damn books” (174).

During this exchange, Pep refers to Knot as “yo’ friend” in a way that makes Otis Lee wonder whether he has been too attentive to Knot, whom he thinks of as a sister. A few minutes later, during breakfast, he offers to “forgive” Pep for keeping her actions secret from him, but she suggests he is the one who needs forgiveness for caring more about Essie and Knot that his wife and son.