62 pages • 2 hours read
Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses drug use and substance use disorder.
Isabel rides the subway to work, looking around at the people in the car. She thinks of how this is her favorite part of the day—a feeling of “in-between” when she has left home but is not yet at work. However, after a minute, she begins to cry and sees the people in the subway awkwardly looking at her or trying to shift away. She isn’t sure why she is upset but ties it to falling out of love with her husband, Robbie moving out, and her job slowly declining. She sets up photoshoots for a magazine, but as the internet becomes more popular and print is pushed out, her work has produced fewer clients. When an older woman offers her a seat, she takes it, realizing how “embarrassed” she is as she sits.
Dan takes Nathan to school while Robbie stays home with Violet as both his school and hers are opening late. Violet confronts Robbie about when he is moving out. Robbie is surprised—as he, Isabel, and Dan agreed to keep it from the kids—and dodges the question. However, he considers whether he is teaching her to be mistrustful by lying, rather than protecting her as he intends.
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By Michael Cunningham
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