Lulu hoped that Henry’s arrival might bring relief, but it doesn’t. When Wesley complains about the TV dinner, Henry tells him that this is what Lulu made and that they have to eat it. Henry is stressed about a promotion at work that isn’t coming as readily as he thought it would. Lulu considers that she went to college so that she could turn out differently from her mother, who has always been always stuck taking care of other people. Lulu’s career aspirations ended when she met Henry. He notices that she is dressed and has cleaned the house and is glad she’s feeling better.

Lulu awakens in the night. Waiting to hear Esther’s cries, she cleans more to avoid Bitsy’s judgment. She lets the cat in again, grateful for the company. Lulu wonders about Bitsy’s diminutive name, reflecting on how she also only became “Lulu” when Henry started calling her that in college. He was so overly optimistic about their future together that despite being from different worlds, Lulu said “yes.” Lulu watches as Bitsy stands at the window in her nightgown, jerking back when Gary touches her and resisting as he pulls her away from the window.

Lulu knew at an early age that she wasn’t like other girls; she didn’t need to be needed. Her father told her mother that Lulu needed friends; Lulu wonders if her father was always so affectionate and loving because he also wanted friends. Her mother didn’t need closeness from anyone; she just needed to get her work done.

Nora and Hatti arrive. Hatti is heavily pregnant. Lulu never wants to feel that way again since pregnancy is so hard on a woman’s body, but she assumes that the other women don’t share her feelings.

Bitsy arrives, with Katherine in tow. Both are meticulously dressed, though it’s clear that Katherine is feverish. She wants to play with Wesley, but Lulu explains that he’s napping. Nora encourages Lulu to get him, so Lulu gives in. When the kids go outside, the women learn that Gary is an architect, like Henry. When Bitsy implies that Gary is looking for a new job, Hatti suggests that Henry put in a word at his firm. When Bitsy goes to the bathroom, Nora tells the others that Bitsy moved from Knollwood, where a woman whom the newspaper called “the despondent wife” sealed herself in her kitchen using tape and plastic wrap and then asphyxiated herself with the oven, all while her daughter was in her bedroom (100). Hatti wonders if the woman went “mad.”

Bitsy emerges from the bathroom and searches for Katherine, who isn’t on the patio. She finds the girl in the backyard. Though the children are safe, Bitsy drags Katherine home by the arm. Lulu is shocked by Bitsy’s behavior. She wonders if Bitsy knew the despondent woman, thinking that maybe they all know someone like her.

Three days later, Wesley develops a cough, on which Lulu blames Bitsy’s decision to bring Katherine over. Lulu arranges for a house call from Dr. Collins, who is surprised by the cluttered state of their home. Lulu spent most of the morning sticking stamps into booklets. Though she swears that Wesley felt feverish earlier, the doctor trusts the thermometer more. He asks if Lulu is okay. She says that she’s exhausted, has a headache, and feels sore, all of which the doctor shrugs off.

That evening, Henry calls Lulu outside to meet Gary. While they talk, they hear Bitsy calling her cat. Gary clearly dislikes the animal. He waves Bitsy over and introduces her to Henry. Gary brings up his work, hoping that Henry can put in a good word at his firm. Lulu asks Bitsy about Katherine and alludes to the fact that Wesley is sick now. Henry is shocked when Lulu suggests that maybe the children shouldn’t play together anymore since Bitsy didn’t like their game: Wesley was pretending to be Katherine’s taxi driver because her mother was gone and her aunt was sick. At this, Bitsy covers her mouth with her hand, and Gary leads her home.

Lulu reflects on the way her relationship with Henry has changed: They rarely look at each other, let alone touch. Alice, his new secretary, calls to say that he’ll be home late again, and Lulu wonders if he’s having an affair. When Henry finally gets home, she goes to take a bath, which she loves. She always enjoyed swimming in the pond as a child. Henry enters the bathroom and says that they need to talk, making her feel like a naughty child. He says that she’s been moodier and more distant than usual, and he believes he knows what the problem is: They never bought the dishwasher that would make her life easier. She is stunned by his belief that a dishwasher is the answer to their problems, and she can tell how much he wants this to be true. Lulu is glad that Henry cannot read her mind. On Thursday night, he needs her to attend a function with his work associates. He says that she should go shopping, go to the salon, and do whatever else she wants because he needs this from her. She agrees.

On the day the dishwasher comes, Lulu can smell colors. The workers, whose uniforms smell like black licorice, install the Mobile Maid, which doesn’t go under the countertop but can be moved to the sink as needed. It’s huge and in the way. Henry calls it extra counter space; Lulu calls it a hazard. He accuses her of ingratitude.

That night, the pink smell of their sheets wakes Lulu. She joins the cat outside and thinks of the day her mother told her not to take Georgie swimming since the girl down the street had recently died of polio. He begged her, as it was so hot, and Lulu thought they could just keep it their secret. A few days later, Georgie was feverish. When doctors asked where he’d been, he revealed the swimming trip, and their mother slapped Lulu. He would never climb a tree again.

Lulu still craves the outdoors. Sometimes, she and Wesley walk to a beautiful tree on their street, and he draws while she rests. Before they go today, Wesley asks her to say a rhyme with the hand motions that she made up for his bedtime. He makes her do it several times. The room begins to spin, and Lulu notices a lacy rash on her upper arm.

Katherine follows them to the tree. Lulu asks where her mother is, and the girl shrugs. When Lulu asks after Katherine’s aunt, Katherine shrugs again and says that her father claims that her aunt will be okay. They kids play for a few minutes before Bitsy arrives, angry that Katherine left the backyard. Nora arrives, and she and Lulu watch Bitsy and Katherine walk home. Nora says that Lulu can’t take Bitsy’s child without asking. Back at home, Lulu scratches her rash and looks at Katherine’s drawing of a butterfly on the fridge; the butterfly’s antenna moves.

By Thursday, the rash has spread, so Lulu chooses a long-sleeved dress for that night’s event. She still smells colors and can’t concentrate on anything. She tries to force herself to be a good wife to Henry. Hatti will stay at the house. As they drive away, Lulu’s heart beats quickly, and her face is hot. When she checks her reflection, she sees the Lulu who used to exist before she changed into who she is now. She wonders whether that Lulu was a mask and whether the Lulu she is in the middle of the night is the real one.

Henry’s boss, Jack, says that it’s good to see Lulu out. As she dances with him, the room starts to swim, and Lulu grows nauseated. She tries not to smell the color of Jack’s jacket. After the song, she abruptly tells Henry that they need to leave, and he’s angry when they reach the car. When they get home, she passes out in the driveway. Henry carries her inside.