Now maybe I wouldn't do it, but I was a child then, said Oryx more softly. Why are you so angry? I don't buy it, said Jimmy. Where was her rage, how far down was it buried, what did he have to do to dig it up? You don't buy what? Your whole fucking story. All this sweetness and acceptance and crap. If you don't want to buy that, Jimmy, said Oryx, looking at him tenderly, what is it that you would like to buy instead? {167}
In their conversation, Oryx reflects on her childhood experiences and the complexities of her feelings. She acknowledges the innocence of her past but hints at the underlying struggles she faced. Jimmy is skeptical of Oryx's demeanor, questioning the authenticity of her acceptance and gentleness. He senses a deep-seated anger beneath her surface and is curious about its origins.
Jimmy confronts Oryx about what he perceives as a facade, which leads him to inquire about her true emotions. He challenges her narrative of sweetness, wanting to understand more about her pain. Oryx responds with tenderness, asking what he would prefer to believe in, opening a dialogue on the nature of truth and perception in their lives.
