Then She Was Gone

Noelle reflects on her childhood in Ireland, growing up with two older brothers, two younger brothers, and a sister who died at age eight. As the only girl, Noelle was constantly compared to her deceased sister, and she felt she could never measure up. Her parents prioritized academic success, and Noelle put all of her efforts into academic achievement. Despite her hard work, she never found a job that she enjoyed or that paid particularly well, and she found herself in her 30s, tutoring for a pittance and living in an unremarkable house in Stroud Green. She had never had a meaningful, romantic relationship, and was still a virgin. After reading Floyd’s book about math, she became somewhat obsessed with meeting him. When she was 41, they met at a book signing, and Noelle found out Floyd lived in Stroud Green as well.  

Noelle went out at every opportunity, hoping to run into Floyd, and eventually, they met at the neighborhood convenience store. Floyd remembered her, and they exchanged friendly banter. The next time they ran into one another, Floyd asked her to dinner. A few days later, he asked her over to his house, and they slept together. Noelle knew he wanted her for sex, but she was just glad to be in a relationship with him.