A Million Little Pieces Part 3, Chapter 1 Summary

How It All Goes Down

  • James has crazy withdrawal dreams then pukes. The puke isn't a dream.
  • James runs into Leonard outside, and Leonard grills him about Lilly, making sure that whatever James is doing, it's making him happy. Ever the contrarian, James says, "I'm not happy, but I'm not unhappy" (3.1.48).
  • After breakfast and lecture, Joanne tries to convince James to come over to the AA side, but he's still not having it.
  • Joanne tries to make James believe in something. Anything. "Do you believe in love?" (3.1.96) she asks.
  • Later, Ken warns James against associating with Leonard, because he's "involved in Organized Crime" (3.1.146). Ken then tells James that his parents are visiting.
  • James stomps around in his super angry Fury state and ends up meeting Lilly in the clearing. She kisses him and they tell each other stories about their pasts.
  • Here's the short version: James talks about what a tough guy he was. He even told an FBI agent to "go fuck himself" (3.1.261), but this incredibly awesome toughness cost him his unnamed girlfriend, who didn't find his behavior amusing.
  • Lilly does find his behavior amusing, so they kiss some more and try to find out a way to see each other even when James's parents come visit.
  • Back in the halls, Leonard encourages James, telling him "love is a rare thing in the World" (3.1.411).
  • After that, it's time for another lecture. Then James finds a TV show about a woman who goes to rehab.