Chapter 4

While Hettie and cotenants continue to fight, without regulations in Gloucester, Helene is evicted three times in two years but finally lands safely in 1764 house. Editor at Little, Brown rejects Hettie’s completed memoir manuscript in 1986, and though her agent reassures, she is devastated and feels some decisions were racist. Helene gets grant for another show in Gloucester. Hettie explains in narrative that Helene, like herself, regularly reads works by African Americans, an additional contribution to their friendship. Hettie works long hours proofreading in ad agency while revising book; a thirty-day eviction notice threatens her because there is still no protection. But through her agent her book is accepted by Dutton; Little, Brown agrees to release. Hettie gets computer, Helene word processor; their long letters become what they call laughingly call “blah blah.” Helene begins work on masks. Worth Auto Parts, Cooper Square neighbor, buys 27, and Hettie is safe at last.