One day, Lily walks into the kitchen and sees May doing something she remembers her mother, Deborah, doing. She confronts May and discovers she knew Lily's mom. Lily doesn't know how to react. She decides to face August about it, but before she can, Zach takes her into Tiburon again to buy parts for his car. The two park the truck at the same time that a group of African-American boys near the truck throw a bottle at a white man. Zach is arrested with the group, and a terrified Lily has to walk back to the Boatright’s house. They don't want May to know about Zach's arrest because she is so fragile so they exclude her. But Zach’s mom calls the house and May answers the phone, finding out about what happened and she is shocked. Leaving the house by herself, still in shock not crying but something was wrong. She then commits suicide by drowning in the river by her wailing wall. Everyone is sad.T. Ray shows up at the Boatright house, having traced Lily's call from the lawyer's office. He and Lily have a terrible argument, and T. Ray hits and kicks her. But Lily is able to call him "Daddy" and get him to realize she is not her mother. His pride was wounded when Deborah left, and he has taken his anger out on Lily ever since. August convinces him to let Lily stay with her and, as he leaves, Lily goes to school with Zach at the white high school and learns to love herself living with this community of strong, independent women. Through these experiences, Lily has learned to trust her own instincts and matures and believes in herself.