Allison takes care of Will after watching him fall into her greenhouse from the cave. She finds him easy to interact with. While she is normally uncomfortable with people looking at her, his gaze is less invasive and violating. Allison thinks that she might make a good nurse to comatose people since she can work efficiently and skillfully if no one is watching her.

Allison has grown stronger and more self-sufficient during her time in the greenhouse. However, she also finds that the late afternoon brings about a bad emotional state once she has completed all of her work for the day but it is not yet time to sleep. She considers that she might need company other than the dog, but the idea of sex or a romantic partnership is unappealing. She feels upset when men look at her sexually, and she feels no desire for women. Love does not make sense to her.

When Will wakes up, he asks Allison to run some errands for him including sending a telegram, moving his car, and bringing Dr. Vance Battle to see him. Allison goes out to complete these errands and takes joy in them, realizing that she likes having concrete and ordinary tasks to structure her life.