Hello Stranger: A Novel

With two days left until the deadline, Sadie races to finish the painting. She’s still confident she has no shot at winning but is satisfied with creating something authentic. She texts Joe to tell him it’s complete, but he doesn’t respond. After several more unanswered texts, Sadie fears he’s ghosting her. Sue suggests she go to see him, but Joe doesn’t answer his door, and when she sees him in the elevator, he doesn’t hold the door. Sadie feels foolish for allowing herself to fall for Joe but also blames herself for perhaps coming on too strong.

A follow-up brain scan shows a significant reduction in her brain swelling, but none of her symptoms change. Dr. Nicole administers the face recognition test, and Sadie’s results remain unchanged. Sadie expresses her frustration over all the negativity in her life, and Dr. Nicole suggests, “Maybe you need to broaden your definition of right” (239). Sadie lists all her problems, including Joe’s behavior. Without Joe, Sadie doesn’t have a date for the show and jokingly asks Dr. Nicole to be her date. Dr. Nicole suggests they keep their meetings in the office.