Talking at Night: A Novel

Will and Rosie haven’t spoken for two years. Will is 30 and goes about his life as if he’s “sleepwalking.” His doctor prescribes him medicine for his depression but Will doesn’t feel it helps much. He and Jen have been together for four years, and he has a ring Gran gave him, but Jen doesn’t believe in marriage. He stops running but often hikes, and he quits Mountain Rescue. One day, he takes a picture of the landscape he knows Rosie would love but doesn’t send it to her. He’s angry that she never reaches out, and he tries to keep himself from thinking about her. Will meets with his doctor for a checkup but feels annoyed by his questions. Will assures him he’s not having suicidal thoughts. After the appointment, Jen presses Will to tell her about it—she says they rarely share their feelings, and she doesn’t want to be “just roomies.” He confesses that he attempted suicide as a teenager. Jen listens and empathizes with him, but when she pushes him to talk more, he asks her to leave him alone.

Gran dies in her sleep, and Will returns home to help Amber plan the funeral. Will feels numb and struggles to help Amber decide on

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