Chapter XVIII begins with Mibs struggling deeply after an emotionally unsettling encounter, her mind heavy with confusion and anxiety. Feeling lost and vulnerable, she leans on her friend Will, who tries to offer her some comfort by suggesting they take a trip to the Emerald Truck Stop Diner and Lounge. The atmosphere inside the diner, however, doesn’t provide the escape she hoped for; as soon as they enter, Mibs is bombarded with the overwhelming noise of countless thoughts from the people around her. The loud, cluttered environment, filled with bikers and truckers, only adds to her sense of discomfort. Her dizziness intensifies as she struggles to control the intrusive voices echoing in her mind, and Fish, noticing her distress, quickly rushes to steady her. Despite his concern, Mibs is still trapped in her own mind, unable to escape the deluge of thoughts that keep coming at her. Meanwhile, Lill, although dealing with her own set of problems, offers assistance but is momentarily distracted by a difficult waitress.

Seeking a moment of solace, Mibs is led to the back of the diner, into a cramped storeroom that smells of ketchup and pickles, evoking a strange mix of nostalgia and discomfort. The scent transports her back to her old life in Mississippi, reminding her of simpler times, but it offers no real peace as her mind continues to race. Lill encourages Mibs to rest on a small sofa in the storeroom while Lill attends to her diner responsibilities, leaving Fish to watch over her. Despite the relative quiet, Mibs remains distracted by the noisy thoughts in her head, struggling with feelings of failure. Her special ability, her “savvy,” seems more like a burden than a gift at the moment. Mibs wonders if this newfound power can ever truly help her bring Poppa home or if it will only complicate her already complicated life further. The weight of this uncertainty adds to the emotional strain she’s feeling, clouding her thoughts and further isolating her from those around her.

Fish, concerned for his sister, gently presses her to explain her powers, sensing her growing frustration. Reluctantly, Mibs admits that her ability is connected to ink on skin—she can read minds, a talent that feels both empowering and invasive. This revelation only deepens Mibs’ emotional turmoil, as she is no longer sure if she wants such an extraordinary gift. Her longing for normalcy clashes with her growing awareness of her abilities and the way they shape her life. Wanting to demonstrate her abilities, Mibs asks Fish to think of a number and uses the silver pen Will Junior had given her to draw a symbol on his palm. Without needing any verbal cues, she transcribes Fish’s thoughts, confirming that her power is very much real, but also frightening in its reach.

Just as she begins to process this overwhelming truth, Bobbi interrupts, playfully teasing Mibs with the question, “So, you read minds, do you?” The question, though lighthearted, leaves Mibs feeling exposed and vulnerable. This moment of interruption forces Mibs to face not only the reality of her power but also the complexities of how it affects her relationships. Her friends, once unaware of her ability, now have a glimpse into the burden she carries, and Mibs struggles to reconcile her sense of normalcy with her exceptional abilities. As the chapter closes, Mibs is left contemplating the future and how her power will shape her identity moving forward. The revelations are only the beginning, and Mibs’ journey of self-discovery is far from over, with more challenges awaiting her as she grapples with both the gifts and the burdens that come with her abilities. This chapter captures her growing internal conflict and sets the stage for deeper exploration of her emotions, relationships, and the world she must navigate with her unique gift.