The first paragraph establishes that she has time to herself. She has that freedom, though small and only if, like a good little girl, she can lie still. She discusses the words lie and lay to make herself feel like she has a little more freedom than she actually does. “Lay” is passive. It’s something that’s done to you. While “lie” is active (at least she’s convinced herself). It’s what she’s doing. What she has decided to do. Just like she’s decided to go back in time. And so the first paragraph is also a device so she can time travel, give a little more backstory. Also note that it’s no accident that while she’s thinking about the words “lay” and “lie,” she uses male locker room humor to bring up the idea of male aggressiveness. That will come up with Moira soon. Another note, about “out of time.” She wants to be outside of time because her present time is not a good one. Yet, she knows she can’t be. Atwood might also be playing with the words here. “Out...