At Trinity, Cass takes courses in feminist theory and literature. She and Elaine make new, diverse friends. Elaine tells Cass she’s bisexual, which gives Cass hope. However, before Cass can tell Elaine that she’s in love with her, Elaine starts dating Caleb.

Cass attends a lecture hosted by the Historical Society. The guest speaker is Willie, now an environmentalist activist who tells the audience of students about coming out, embracing his identity, falling in love with a man who broke his heart, and discovering environmentalism while hiking to heal his emotional wounds.

As Cass contemplates whether she could be attracted to Merle, a German student she meets at the lecture, Elaine calls, upset that Caleb is dating other people. Cass rushes back to Elaine.

Dickie becomes obsessed with creating an underground bunker near the shed. He and Victor work day and night. PJ spends less time with them because school has started. Dickie stops worrying about his father and the garage until Ryszard calls.

Imelda and Big Mike meet in secret to confide in one another everything about their lives. Big Mike is helping with the garage because when he was a child and dirt-poor, Maurice would always give him food when he went begging.