Act 2, Scene 1
Several weeks have elapsed. Val, who has been wrongly accused by a woman of making a sexual advance, recounts to Lady his wild days in New Orleans, declaring that he has left that lifestyle behind. Outside, Carol persistently honks her car horn because the gas station refuses to serve her. She then heads to a pharmacy, while Lady offers to serve Carol if she comes into the store. Carol enters, and her brother David calls, announcing that he is coming to pick her up. Lady declares she will not allow him, her former lover, into the store. Carol once again professes her feelings to Val, but he dismisses her advances. It becomes clear that he knew Carol during his New Orleans days. When David arrives, Lady sends Carol and Val out of the store and confesses to David that she was pregnant with his child when he abandoned her, leading to an abortion. She tells him never to return.

Act 2, Scene 2
Val and Vee discuss her painting, "Church of the Resurrection," and Val appreciates her artistic talent. Vee's husband, Sheriff Talbot, arrives and goes upstairs to visit Jabe. Vee and Val continue their conversation, with Val showing deep understanding of her work. He takes her hands and lifts them to his lips. At that moment, Talbot comes downstairs and angrily tells them to stop.

Act 2, Scene 3
Val tells Lady that he wishes to remain in town, even though he feels unsafe. Lady offers him a place to stay in the store, in a small alcove behind a curtain, saying it would make her feel safer with him guarding the store. She is physically tense, and he massages her head, neck, and spine to relieve the tension. He also gently strokes her neck, after which she leaves to get linens for the bed. While she is gone, Val takes some money from the cashbox and leaves the store. Lady returns and discovers the theft.

Act 2, Scene 4
Late that night, Val returns and replaces the money he took. Lady appears on the landing, and Val informs her that he is quitting his job because he won money gambling. Lady becomes suspicious and discovers that Val borrowed money to gamble with. She accuses him of stealing from her, revealing that she deliberately left the money in the cashbox to test his trustworthiness. Val accuses her of hiring him because she wanted a lover, which she denies. She then breaks down in tears. As Val is about to leave, she begs him to stay, and they head together to the alcove behind the curtain.