Summary

In Chapter 1, after her lover, Vic, shot himself in front of her, Joan left New York City. She had been having dinner “with another married man” at the time (1, Taddeo’s italics).

Vic had been Joan’s boss at an advertising firm. Vic “had two children” (2). His son “was mentally challenged,” which Joan would not learn until later (2). Though Vic disgusted Joan, he took her to expensive restaurants and bought her things. Joan liked older men because they always came when she called. They were like the father she “didn’t have” (2).

Joan and Vic’s relationship developed over “a few years” (2). She would not notice until later “how it was affecting [her]” (3). Throughout her affair with Vic, Joan “didn’t stop dating” (5). Their relationship felt transactional, in that they “were both getting what [they] needed” (5). The arrangement worked until Joan met Big...