The Family Upstairs

Lucy, Marco, Stella, and the dog arrive at Marco’s father’s house. His name is Michael Rimmer. Lucy remembers when she used to be married to Michael and lived at the house; they divorced 10 years ago.

A maid answers the door and leads Lucy, the children, and the dog out to the back garden. As they pass through the house, Lucy remembers that Michael used to be physically abusive toward her. When they arrive in the garden, Michael is excited to see them. Lucy introduces Michael to Stella and reveals that the dog’s name is Fitz, after F. Scott Fitzgerald. Michael talks to Lucy in a condescending way, just “to show her that she was stupid and uneducated, unworthy of him, lucky to have him” (52). Michael asks the maid to bring out juice and chips for Lucy and the kids.

Lucy reveals that she lived with Stella’s father for a little bit before he left them and returned to Algeria. Michael asks if Lucy still plays the fiddle, and Lucy reveals that she does, but her fiddle is at the repair shop and she doesn’t have the money for the repairs. Michael gives Lucy the money along with a little extra.