Beach Read

January cries for a while on the boat. She plays the same song Gus’s party was blasting the night they met: “Everybody Hurts” by REM. She realizes Gus hasn’t called or texted yet and cries even harder. She texts Shadi that she needs her, and Shadi says she’ll be on the next train out. She then calls her mom and goes on to tell her everything about her life, finally breaking the long, distant funk their relationship has been in since January’s dad’s death.

The next morning, Shadi arrives with a large duffel bag and a box of fresh produce from the farmer’s market. She embraces January, then helps January clean the kitchen and cook a healthy meal. After eating, they deep clean the entire apartment, an activity January finds to be a welcome distraction from her pain and worries. Gus calls January twice, but she ignores him both times, afraid to hear what he might have to say.

January showers while Shadi cooks dinner. They settle in as a storm approaches. January tells Shadi she can talk about her romance and that it won’t bother her. Shadi instead asks January to tell her everything.