Stella wants time to think and decides to drive to her childhood home in Alexandria, Virginia. She recalls her early life there when her parents were still alive and realizes that even then, her mother experienced deep anxiety. She realizes that her mother’s struggle with addiction must have been rooted in an underlying mental health condition, and she is saddened that help was not available to her mother. She vows to find out more about her mother’s death and emails Detective Garcia to see if she can help locate old records about the case.

Stella meets Ian and Rose at the aquarium the next day. Stella tries to break through Rose’s icy shell by explaining her own childhood history and experience with traumatic mutism, even noting that it is understandable that Rose might feel angry. Stella makes some progress, but when a young girl runs up, begins talking to Rose, and then gets upset when Rose won’t share her lip gloss, Rose shoves the girl. Stella sees Rose’s eyes go blank again and knows that the girl is unreachable once more.