Lola in the Mirror

The sketch presents a girl holding a pen and sketchbook while dressed in a gown. The museum label explains that the stains in the left corner of this hopeful piece contain chlorine.

Charlie and Lola submerge themselves in the backyard pool of a mansion in Hamilton Hill, a neighborhood known for its opulence. The daughter, Samara Collins, owes Flora drug money, and when Ephraim terrorized her, she relinquished the key and security code for her family home. The client’s mansion sits empty during the holidays. Beneath the water, Lola and Charlie say “colorful” to each other because it sounds like “I love you.” Lola finds peace in the water because she can think.

Inside, Lola admires the luxurious house and a painted family portrait. She is drawn to the son. Careful to be “invisible,” Charlie and Lola sip wine and eat food that would not be missed. Lola worries about Charlie’s drinking, but he claims there is no reason for him to stop. When Lola asks if she is a reason, he says yes. Later, Lola admits to thinking of Erica Finlay and thanks Charlie for being like a brother. He asks if there could be more if he quit drinking. He talks of a shared future and whispers “colorful” to her. Although she loves Charlie, she does not feel desire and turns away when he tries to kiss her.

That night, Lola sleeps in the boy’s bedroom. His name is Danny. She takes out Detective Topping’s phone and talks to it all while observing the room. Lola wonders if this would have been her life if Erica had not danced the Tyrannosaurus Waltz. Exhausted, she settles into the bed and discovers a sketchbook beneath the pillow. Each drawing contains breathtaking detail. Then, she finds a young woman, arms raised with a speech bubble that says, “I AM INVISIBLE” (258). It is her. Moved to tears, she whispers that he sees her and smudges out the words.

Lola’s sketch shows a monster wearing a t-shirt and holding a weapon. The museum label explains that this is when the artist began as a debt collector for Flora Box and attributes this sketch to the period known as “Beleaguered Girl Balances on the Edge of Good and Evil” (262).

Now that Lola works with Brandon, she meets him at his apartment, where he makes her watch him life weights before they depart. At their first stop, Lola urges a young mother to quit using. When they leave, Brandon tells her it is bad for business to help clients. At the next stop, Brandon directs her to stand outside the backyard fence with a gun so that when the customers run, her weapon will stop them. Thinking her life is a mistake, she remembers Danny Collins’s drawing of her. When a man clambers over the fence, she asks him to stop. Then Brandon grabs him and beats him bloody. Afterward, when Brandon invites Lola on a date, she declines, saying she has plans. Brandon describes taking advantage of her sexually. She vows to kill him first. Brandon stops laughing and declares that she does not have to let him do anything.

Later in the scrapyard, Lola talks to the mirror. The woman advises how to handle Brandon, but the girl confesses to not being able to use the knife. Her reflection, looking better than the last time, declares that women are capable of anything. That afternoon, Lola and Topping meet. When Lola admits her fear of Brandon, the detective reminds her that he will be there instantly if needed. Although the situation is terrible, he says that they are close to getting Flora and her superiors. Then, he invites her to the police station tomorrow to meet Detective Sergeant Cameron Millar, who has flown from Perth, where Lola was born.

A couple floats on a lungfish toward a figure holding a flashlight on the shore. The museum label indicates that they are floating by moonlight toward their fate.

After following Danny for days, Lola knows that he is good at noticing things that no one else sees. Today, she watches him sketch. An artist with confidence, Danny draws quickly, unafraid of mistakes. At nightfall, the city empties, and Danny strolls to the center of the Victoria Bridge and begins to cry. Just as quickly, he shakes off the tears and draws, so absorbed in his work that he does not notice two scooters zooming onto the bridge. When he steps back for a better view, he almost gets hit. The men on the scooters, drunk and possibly high, advance on Danny. As the situation escalates, Lola sneaks up and puts a blade to one man’s throat. After threats of retribution from Flora Box, Lola advises them to leave.

Once alone, Danny studies her. Lola suggests that he consider his first words because perhaps they will have a remarkable story that will be talked about. Danny laughs, moves closer, and eventually declares his love for her. Lola is stunned. Feeling alive, he asks her to marry him. Lola laughs despite his foolishness. Then, he claims to know her already and shares the drawing of her. Lola admires his sketchbook, noting her dreams of art school. After talking about fate, Lola realizes that this is where Erica saved Christina. She hears the woman’s prediction that things will get better.

They talk about the moon and the meaning of life before Lola proposes that they only speak the truth; Danny agrees. Lola tells him where she lives and about having a home with Erica. Then, she describes Erica’s death without slipping into Buckle’s narration. She also confesses that she does not know her name and admits her fear that the truth of her past may prevent her from forgiving Erica. When it is his turn, Danny reveals that his sister is in rehab for a meth addiction. Lola confesses to once being a drug courier and then asks about his tears earlier, but he talks instead about the upside-down elephant sculpture nearby. Then, Buckle’s narration captures their conversation about the Olympics, the housing crisis, and the future.

Lying on the grass, Lola narrates again as Danny talks about how he considered jumping off the bridge but did not because he feels lucky to be alive. Lola admits to wanting to die when Erica drowned. She loved the woman Erica was helping her become but felt the world squashed those dreams. Then, she explains her magic mirror with the woman in the red dress and her boyfriend in the vintage brown suit. Lola admits, for the first time, that the reflection looks like her. Then, they hear a piano and walk toward the music. They dance beneath the full moon. Erica’s prediction is true: Lola dances with a prince. Then, the rain begins. As they leave, Buckle’s voice begins again, but a tap on Danny’s shoulder interrupts him. Lola has run back to him. Proclaiming her love and feeling alive, she kisses the boy. They agree to meet each night right here.