2095 Results in the "Fiction" category


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      Chapter 5

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the narrator embarking on a drive through familiar Los Angeles areas, initially feeling mundane but gradually becoming aware of the weight of solitary travel. They distract themselves with music and snacks, hesitating to start an audiobook too soon. The isolation prompts introspection, and an unexpected call from their father interrupts the monotony. Their father, using a loaner phone, launches into an eccentric monologue about his "new soul"—a metaphysical concept where his…
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      Chapter 6

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the protagonist lying motionless in a hotel bed, savoring the rare absence of responsibility. Freed from the daily demands of parenting—making meals,催促孩子穿鞋刷牙—she embraces the weightlessness of solitude. Her reverie is interrupted by a housekeeper named Helen, who informs her she’s overdue for checkout. Unfazed, the protagonist opts to pay for another day, declining housekeeping services. This scene underscores her deliberate withdrawal from routine and her…
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      Chapter 7

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The protagonist finds herself in a beautifully renovated motel room, yet she feels trapped in a state of emotional limbo. Despite the comfort of her surroundings, she struggles with a sense of displacement, neither at home nor fully present in her new location. She questions her purpose there, wondering if she should channel her energy into work, but feels uninspired and isolated. Her only sustenance is trail mix, and her communication with Harris, who expresses relief at her safe arrival, underscores her…
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      Chapter 3

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      by testsuphomeAdmin In Chapter 3, the protagonist and her friend Jordi share a candid conversation over milkshakes, revealing intimate details about their sex lives. The protagonist admits to using fantasies involving taboo scenarios, such as stepfather-stepdaughter dynamics, to maintain her marital sex life, which she approaches mechanically, like exercise. Jordi, in contrast, describes a more spontaneous and physically rooted approach with her partner, emphasizing raw, unfiltered intimacy. Their discussion highlights their…
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      Chapter 20

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the narrator reflecting on a two-week stalemate in her marriage after a devastating argument. Unlike past fights, this rift feels irreparable, as she likely meant the hurtful things she said. Her husband, Harris, avoids eye contact, and their tense environment worries her for their child’s well-being. She feels trapped between the suffocating familiarity of her marriage and the daunting prospect of starting over as a divorced mother. The narrator’s internal conflict is palpable…
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      Chapter 21

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the narrator caring for their child while Harris announces a brunch to celebrate Caro's new single. The narrator questions Harris's priorities, wondering if this event hints at his affair with Caro or is merely a public display. Their strained relationship is evident as Harris expresses frustration, wishing for a partner who genuinely wants to be present. The narrator reflects on their own emotional distance, imagining a more domestic, content version of herself that Harris might…
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      Chapter 22

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a conversation between the narrator and Tim Yoon, who mentions his daughter's recent wedding. The narrator reveals they no longer need help with license plates, having solved the mystery of a telephotographer and a real estate card. The discussion shifts to Brian, a former neighbor who connected them, and the shocking revelation that Brian has died from kidney failure—not in the line of duty as assumed. This news adds a layer of melancholy, especially as the narrator reflects on…
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      Chapter 8

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the narrator arriving early for a meeting, carefully dressed in a low-key but flattering outfit. She spots Davey waiting outside, looking freshly showered and dressed in a skater-style button-down shirt. Their encounter is interrupted by a young couple Davey knows, and the narrator feels awkward as they join the group. The woman in the couple, with long hair and a revealing outfit, seems to judge the narrator’s attire, adding to her discomfort. The group heads inside, where the…
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      Chapter 9

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the narrator waiting at a Hertz rental office, observing Davey interact with customers while feeling possessive and unsettled by his attentiveness to others. Her internal monologue reveals a tension between her professional stature and her current fixation on Davey, which overshadows her sense of self. A gray-haired woman seated beside her cryptically comments on her admiration for Davey’s physique, leading to an awkward exchange. The narrator’s discomfort escalates as the woman,…
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      Chapter 10

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the narrator traveling from Pennsylvania to Indiana, reflecting on her journey while anticipating a day with Davey, her lover. They drive into the hills, a secluded spot they hadn’t visited since before an earlier encounter referred to as "the Buccaneer." The setting is idyllic—a sunlit field dotted with tiny flowers—but the ground is uncomfortably prickly, prompting Davey to fetch makeshift bedding. As he returns, the narrator stretches toward the sky, and they share a moment…
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