A Corner of the Universe

When Hattie and her parents dine at Nana’s, Hattie meets Adam for the first time. Adam is short, but strong. He wears tortoiseshell glasses and has an intense manner. Adam greets them effusively with bear hugs and “a tornado of words” peppered with references to the TV show I Love Lucy. Hattie is initially speechless, but Adam’s exuberance makes them all smile until Nana tells Adam to slow down. When Adam inadvertently splashes Hattie with ginger ale while reaching for the cherry in his drink, Hattie saves him from Nana’s censure. Hattie thinks it odd that Papa doesn’t toast to Adam and that Nana directs all conversation away from Adam. Hattie likes the way Adam listens to her about her upcoming birthday and her lack of friends. During the formal dinner, Adam eats quickly and chews with his mouth open. When Nana again asks him to slow down and use his “party manners” Adam gets angry and sasses Nana. He stops talking, which makes Hattie disappointed. Adam’s attempt to slurp down his dessert angers Papa, so Adam storms from the room.