The Dew Breaker

This part is about a woman named Nadine. At the beginning of the story, she receives a letter from her parents: They thank her for sending money and beg her to call them. They live in Haiti, while Nadine is now in America. The “near-calligraphic” handwriting of the letter suggests that while the parents depend upon her for money, they are educated and dignified people. The money seems necessary in part because of an illness on her father’s part.

Next, we witness Nadine at work as a hospital nurse. She is eating alone, keeping her distance from her fellow employees. Only one fellow worker, Josette, feels brave enough to talk to her.

At home after work, Nadine sits in front of her television, which she uses to numb her emotions. The lone message on her answering machine is from a former boyfriend, Eric, who leaves an awkward and uncomfortable greeting. Eric previously impregnated her, but she agreed to have an abortion. Though she does not call him back, she saves his voicemail messages and other mementos of their relationship.

The next day at work, a patient known to Nadine as Ms. Hinds has a violent outburst, and Nadine subdues her.