Deenie

When she sees the brace, Deenie is horrified. She cannot imagine wearing it every day for four years and is scared that it will make her look ugly. She is also annoyed by another emotional outburst from her mother and tries to save face in front of the doctors.

Before a nurse shows Deenie how to put her brace on, Dr. Kliner explains that she will need to swim and exercise to strengthen her back. Deenie is reluctant to wear an undershirt under the brace, but the nurse assures her that she will get used to it. When she shows Deenie pictures of untreated scoliosis patients, Deenie notices that one of them looks similar to Old Lady Murray. After they leave Dr. Kliner’s office, the young girl cries, and her father comforts her.

Back at home, Deenie impulsively cuts her hair short. Her parents are surprised when she shows up for dinner, but Helen only finds it funny. Deenie has trouble eating with her brace on, as it restricts some of her movements, and she leaves the table in frustration. She then realizes that she just had her period for the second time in her life, but she struggles to use a pad since she is unable to bend over.