Hearts Unbroken

The morning after her junior prom, Louise Wolfe calls Shelby, a friend who could not attend the event because of her waitressing job. Louise tells Shelby that her boyfriend Cam got drunk and vomited in the IHOP restaurant parking lot after the dance before falling asleep at the after-party. Louise and Cam go to the traditional post-prom brunch at the country club hosted by Cam’s parents, the Ryans, and other parents of East Hannesburg High. At the brunch, Cam offends Louise by making derogatory comments about his brother’s fiancé, an Indigenous American of the Kickapoo Tribe. His comments show that his mother’s prejudice against the fiancé is an accepted part of Cam’s own thinking. Cam begins to discuss fraternities with other rising seniors, but Louise turns the topic back to ethnicity: “I’m Native […] One Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizen, live and in person, right here” (7).

Cam responds to Louise’s disagreement by saying, “God […] Girls are so sensitive!” (8) and telling her that she is not “Indian Indian” (9). The serving line attendant interjects, but Cam rudely tells him to stay out of it. Louise changes the subject to avoid a scene but decides Cam is not worth it: “I’ve had enough” (10).