Delilah’s photography often depicts the natural world, and her relationships and sense of self flourish within it. For other characters, time in nature forces introspection or foreshadows future plot developments. Early in the novel, Delilah looks through her portfolio, and one of her favorites depicts two women “both in tattered lace gowns, sticks and leaves tangled in their hair, holding hands and wading into Lake Champlain” (53). Delilah cherishes it for its emotional power. Later, she confesses to Claire that her direction as an artist came from watching Claire screaming in pain after wading into the Bright River, helping her hone her focus on “queer women, turmoil, and water” (165). This indicates that nature can be key to inspiration.

Many relationships develop further when all the characters go camping together. Claire is forced to confront her insecurities and doubts about Josh, turning to Delilah for comfort and reassurance. She and Delilah bond further over playing a prank on Spencer, and Delilah marvels that Iris sits next to her companionably in the aftermath. Astrid almost confesses her doubts about her upcoming wedding around the campfire before retreating to her tent. In the novel’s third act, Delilah adds a third piece for her show at the Whitney: a self-portrait where she stands beneath a waterfall, seeming truly at peace.