The Conditions of Will

Georgia dismisses herself to her room, where she reflects on the past. One day, Maryanne’s boyfriend Beckett was over when Maryanne was having a party with friends. Beckett appeared and pushed into Georgia’s room. Uncomfortable with his aggressive demeanor, Georgia fled to Oliver’s room. Oliver wasn’t there and Beckett followed her. He then forced himself onto her and raped her. This pattern continued for the next year until Will discovered them. Maryanne found them together when it first started, but didn’t say anything and returned to her friends downstairs instead. Georgia didn’t say anything either despite the continued abuse. She was confused about what was happening—unsure if it was rape. With the help of therapy, she now understands what happened. However, Maryanne has spread lies about Georgia that everyone still believes.

Georgia and Sam go out for breakfast the next morning. While out, they talk more about Sam’s mom’s death and Georgia and Maryanne’s relationship. Georgia feels more attracted to him every moment. Back at the house, Georgia and Sam run into Margaret; Sam smooths over a difficult conversation. Afterward, Sam suggests they return to the cemetery.

Sam takes Georgia to Will’s plot and encourages her to talk to Will. Georgia hesitates but finally gives in, admitting that she’s angry with Will for how poorly he treated her and Oliver. She’s also upset that he never knew her before his death.

Georgia feels closer to Sam after their graveyard outing. She’s still surprised by how emotionally intelligent he is. Back at home, she takes him to the SS Avoidance. They lie in the boat talking about God. Georgia asserts that her God is different from Margaret and Maryanne’s God.

Georgia remembers an incident from childhood. Oliver snuck out to have sex with Louis Janson and she covered for them. Louis’s angry dad showed up at the Carters’ house, demanding that Georgia tell him where Oliver and Louis were. Margaret forced Louis’s dad to leave but punished Georgia for lying. When Oliver returned home, Georgia didn’t tell him what had happened. She was afraid of making him feel worse than he already did.

Georgia and Sam return to the house, where they run into Oliver. He was out with Violet. He suggests that he and Sam get dinner with her, but he excludes Georgia from the invitation. She takes him aside, and he admits that he’s angry with her for taking Sam to their secret hideout. She argues that he’s taken lots of guys there before. The argument continues until Oliver insults Georgia for sleeping with Beckett. Violet appears and breaks up the fight.

Georgia and Violet talk in her car. Georgia is hurt that Oliver has been so mean, seemingly siding with Maryanne. Violet also asks about Sam. Georgia admits she’s attracted to him but isn’t sure what’s happening between them. Before parting ways, Violet reminds Georgia that it’s okay to grieve Will even if she’s still angry with him.

Lying in her old bed, Georgia reflects on her childhood and Beckett’s abuse. When Maryanne first confronted Georgia about it, she expressed anger that Beckett would sleep with Georgia and not her.

Georgia doesn’t feel as upset being in her room as she thought she would. Instead, she daydreams about Sam. However, she’s worried that Oliver likes Sam, too. She goes into Oliver’s room and asks if he has feelings for Sam. Oliver denies it, but Georgia knows he’s lying. She chooses not to argue with him.

Sam finds Georgia back in her room. They talk intimately and almost kiss. Georgia wants to have sex, but Sam says it’s not a good time despite how they feel.

Georgia isn’t sure how to feel on the morning of Will’s funeral. Then Sam appears at her door with a cup of coffee. He admits that Oliver is upset but promises to support him.

Georgia’s mind wanders at the funeral. She’s worried about Oliver and unsure why he’s so upset with her. She wonders if he still resents her for calling the police when he was driving while intoxicated, and ushering him into rehab. She wishes things could be different but realizes their relationship has changed.

Tennyson gets up to say a few words. Sam notices Georgia looks emotional and puts his hand on her leg.

Violet checks in on Georgia after the service. Georgia gets upset when she teases her again about Sam. She’s tired of people making judgments about her.

Back at the house, Georgia sits with Margaret at the repast. She demands that Georgia read her and tell her what she’s feeling. Georgia gives in. Sensing a rare moment of intimacy, Georgia asks Margaret why she sent her away. Margaret admits that Will didn’t want to because he was worried Oliver would be losing his only friend. However, Margaret insisted on sending Georgia to England, because “[i]t was easier” (174). Fed up, Georgia announces that she’s going to a bar. Sam, Tennyson, Oliver, and Savannah join.

Georgia, Sam, Savannah, and her brother get drinks, talk, and play pool. Georgia is worried about Sam and Oliver, but Sam assures her they’re fine being around alcohol. Everything is fine until Beckett appears and grabs Georgia inappropriately. She confronts him, but he denies it. Then Maryanne surfaces, coming to Beckett’s defense. Furious, Georgia tells the bar what really happened 10 years ago. She reveals that Beckett raped her for over a year and that Maryanne knew about it and did nothing; she didn’t want to lose Beckett as her boyfriend or she’d ruin her chances at popularity. Beckett insists that what happened wasn’t his fault because Georgia has always been a seductress. Sam and Tennyson attack Beckett. Finally, Savannah intervenes. Both Tennyson and Oliver confront Georgia, begging to know why she didn’t tell them the truth. Georgia insists it isn’t about them and walks off.

Sam catches up with Georgia to see if she’s okay. She wants to be alone and is surprised that Sam’s quiet presence doesn’t bother her. Finally, Sam apologizes for all that Georgia endured. Then he asks to kiss her. They share a passionate embrace. Georgia is overwhelmed by desire and emotion.

Georgia and Sam walk the whole way home, intermittently stopping to kiss again. Back at the house, Margaret and Maryanne are waiting for Georgia. Margaret insists that Georgia forgive Maryanne. Through tears, Maryanne insists that she was a victim, too. Georgia confronts her for being narcissistic and manipulative, but Margaret continues to defend her. Frustrated, Georgia retreats to her room. Sam finds her and they kiss again.

Georgia’s family is waiting for her in the kitchen the next morning. Savannah checks in on Georgia, worried after last night’s events. Meanwhile, Sam touches Georgia’s leg under the table. Another argument ensues between Georgia and Maryanne. She wants to take Georgia shopping to make amends, which Margaret thinks is a good idea. Frustrated, Georgia leaves the table. Oliver follows, apologizing for last night and suggesting they get lunch.

Georgia and Oliver catch up over lunch. Georgia tells Oliver about her ex-boyfriend Anatole. Anatole was a contract killer for the army and lived a dangerous life. It didn’t bother Georgia until Anatole disappeared on a job without telling her where he was going. He was injured when he returned and wouldn’t tell her what happened. He insisted they break up even though they were in love, because his work would endanger Georgia. She tells Oliver that letting him go was hard but she’s since healed from the breakup. The conversation shifts to loneliness and emotional expression. Oliver opens up about his desire for companionship. Finally, he asks if she and Sam are together. To protect Oliver, Georgia lies and says nothing is going on.

Back at home, Georgia and Violet take a walk and talk about what happened with Beckett. Violet apologizes for not being there for Georgia and listens to Georgia process the situation. She admits it was hard for her to understand what happened because she felt guilty and implicated. Violet is understanding.