853 Results with the "Fiction" genre


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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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      Chapter 11

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with an intimate conversation between the narrator and Davey, who shares a vivid sex dream about Aaron Bannister, a kind-hearted boy from his high school. Davey describes the dream with surprising openness, including explicit details, which contrasts with the narrator’s past experiences with older men who avoided admitting to such fantasies. The narrator reflects on generational differences, noting how Davey’s comfort with discussing gay eroticism highlights a cultural shift. Their…
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      Chapter 12

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the protagonist driving home after an extended absence, consumed by anxiety about reintegrating into her domestic life. She obsesses over trivial details like the car's cleanliness and fabricates a neck injury to explain her strained demeanor. Her internal monologue reveals she’s been hiding a secret affair with a Hertz employee instead of traveling to New York as claimed. The familiarity of her neighborhood feels surreal, and a brief interaction with her neighbor Ken highlights…
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      Chapter 23

      Chapter 23 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the protagonist accompanying her friend Jordi to buy cigarettes after a shocking revelation. Jordi is incredulous about the protagonist's new arrangement with her husband, Harris, where each is allowed one night of freedom per week without ending their marriage. The protagonist explains she first confessed her desires to a telephotographer, which Jordi calls a "Third Thing"—a Quaker concept allowing indirect communication of difficult truths. The protagonist grapples with the…
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      Chapter 24

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter follows the protagonist and Jordi as they attend a gallery opening in North Hollywood, hoping to see artist Lore Estes, who doesn’t show up. Instead, they encounter Kris, Lore’s ex-girlfriend and muse, whose artwork resembles Lore’s. A subtle, unspoken tension develops between the protagonist and Kris, marked by fleeting eye contact and mutual curiosity. Jordi encourages the protagonist to seize the moment, leading her to message Kris and ask her out. The bold move pays off when Kris…
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      Chapter 25

      Chapter 25 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with the narrator grappling with rumors about her marriage to Harris, as word spreads about their unconventional relationship dynamics. While she resents the assumption that they must be divorcing, she argues to her friend Jordi that marriage should be fluid, like parent-child relationships, rather than a rigid binary. Jordi, whose partnership with Mel remains her primary focus, gently reminds the narrator that her perspective may isolate her as a minority viewpoint. This exchange…
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