Madeline brings Celeste’s twins home and is immediately alarmed by Celeste’s appearance. Celeste is dressed in pajamas and a man’s T-shirt, her face is extremely pale, and she claims that an illness came on suddenly after appearing well at the school assembly.

Because Celeste looks so unwell, Madeline offers to take the boys back to her own house so Perry can collect them later. Madeline is also juggling her own chaos: her car has a smashed headlight after hitting Renata’s car, Abigail is crying in the front seat, Fred and Chloe are fighting, and Madeline suspects Fred may have lice.

Celeste refuses the offer, saying the boys can have unlimited screen time and will ignore her anyway. When Madeline asks whether Celeste will be well enough for trivia night, Celeste says she expects to be fine and notes that Perry is looking forward to it.

Madeline then confides that the car accident happened because she and Abigail were fighting about Abigail’s plan to auction her virginity online as a protest against child marriage and sex slavery. Celeste is shocked but sympathetic, and Madeline is relieved to finally tell someone.

Celeste tries to frame Abigail’s action as a grand symbolic gesture, comparing it to a Cold War-era swim meant to make a political point. Although Madeline is horrified by any suggestion that Abigail should continue, Celeste clarifies that she does not support the sale itself; she thinks Madeline should be proud of Abigail’s idealism.

Celeste grows visibly weaker and steadies herself against the wall. Madeline tells Celeste to lie down, kisses her goodbye, and leaves with one more practical warning: Celeste may want to check her children for nits.