Chapter 24 begins with Patricia feeling uneasy as Carter, while driving, uses his cellphone to discuss work matters. Though Carter is a skilled driver, Patricia can’t shake her discomfort with his multitasking behind the wheel. The pair are already running late for their book club meeting, a social occasion they both attend more out of obligation than enjoyment. The topic of their conversation shifts from logistics to Carter’s busy fall schedule. He mentions that he has multiple talks lined up and will be traveling frequently, but he reassures Patricia that there’s enough financial leeway for everything they want to do, including remodeling their kitchen. Although Carter brushes off her worries, Patricia finds herself feeling increasingly anxious about their finances, especially with Korey’s college plans still uncertain.

As they approach their destination, Patricia becomes self-conscious about the eleven pounds she’s recently gained. When she steps out of the car, she feels awkward and unsteady, the weight hanging from her hips and stomach making her feel graceless. Despite this, she doesn’t mention it to Carter, trying to keep her self-doubt to herself. The couple walks up the street toward Slick and Leland’s house, which is surrounded by a long line of expensive vehicles, a sign of the wealth that now defines their social circle. The sun, low and warm in the October sky, casts fleeting shadows that flicker across the sidewalk, and Patricia grips this month’s book—an enormous Tom Clancy novel—with frustration. The walk to the house feels long, as they navigate past the large, barn-red Cape Cod home that looks like it belongs in New England.

As they enter, Patricia feels the tension of the evening ahead. Slick greets them at the door with her usual exuberance, her overly made-up face and too-tight clothes exuding the confidence of someone used to being the center of attention. Patricia forces a smile, feeling like an outsider in this extravagant home filled with collectibles and over-the-top decorations. Slick leads them through the chaotic dining room, past shelves filled with fragile trinkets and sentimental items. It’s a display of wealth and excess, but Patricia’s mind drifts to her own unease, the nagging feeling that her life has become just as superficial as the people around her. Her gaze drifts past the elaborate decor to the people in the room, all deep in conversation, exchanging compliments about appearances and superficial achievements.

The book club’s conversation is loud and shallow, with most members talking more about their personal lives and less about the book they were supposed to be discussing. Patricia joins in, offering polite exchanges and pretending to care about the conversation, but inside, she feels a deepening sense of alienation. As she looks around the room, she realizes that, while she’s made friends here, it’s become increasingly difficult to relate to the people in her life. Conversations about money, appearances, and trivial social concerns fill the air, and Patricia longs for something more meaningful. She watches as James Harris enters the room, talking animatedly with Carter. There’s something about his presence that makes Patricia uncomfortable, but she hides it behind a smile. James has become a fixture in their lives, a business advisor who has helped them with investments and financial decisions, but Patricia feels uneasy about how much influence he has over her family.

As the evening progresses, Patricia finds herself caught in the whirlwind of shallow interactions. She feels distanced from everyone in the room, including Carter, who seems more at ease than she does. While she watches him laugh and joke with James Harris, she is reminded of how their relationship has changed over the years. Once a partnership built on shared values and mutual respect, it now seems strained by the weight of their individual ambitions and distractions. Patricia’s thoughts drift back to the time when James Harris was the only person who visited her in the hospital. She remembers how he sat quietly by her side, offering her comfort when no one else did. She realizes now how much that simple act of kindness meant to her and how it stands in stark contrast to the superficiality she now feels trapped in.

In the midst of all the noise and clatter, Patricia becomes overwhelmed by the sense that her life has spiraled into something unrecognizable. She wonders how they got to this point, where every conversation feels empty, and every gesture is laced with the pressure of maintaining appearances. She watches James Harris and Carter continue their conversation, and despite their easy camaraderie, she feels a deep unease. Her family’s success, while financially prosperous, has come at the expense of her emotional well-being. Patricia feels trapped, unable to bridge the gap between what her life looks like on the outside and how she feels on the inside. The evening winds on, filled with noise and pleasantries, but Patricia finds herself lost in her thoughts, questioning the choices that have brought her here.

As the night winds down and the crowd begins to disperse, Patricia feels a heavy weight pressing on her chest. She’s tired of pretending, tired of putting on a brave face for everyone around her. She feels the loneliness creep in as she stands in the middle of Slick’s grand living room, surrounded by people but utterly alone in her thoughts. She can’t escape the sense that her life, once full of meaning and connection, has been reduced to a series of carefully curated images. It’s become about appearances, about what others think, and she’s not sure how to break free from it. As Carter and James laugh over a drink, Patricia steps away, heading toward the exit. The cool air outside feels like a relief, but it does little to ease the emptiness she feels inside.

Walking back to their car, Patricia is lost in her thoughts. She’s unsure of what the future holds, but she knows one thing for certain: she’s tired of living in a world where everything is a performance. She wants more—more meaning, more connection, more honesty. But for now, she can only hold onto the hope that things might change, that the life she’s built can be rebuilt into something real and fulfilling. The drive home is quiet, and though Patricia tries to focus on the road ahead, her mind remains restless, burdened by the weight of unspoken truths.