Summary

Unlike many of the stories in this collection, Adult World is comprised of two separate stories -- "Adult World (I)" and "Adult World (II)" -- that feature the exact same characters and scenario. In fact, the beginning of "Adult World (II)" immediately follows, chronologically, the last events of "Adult World (I)." Together, both Adult World stories describe the subtle marital problems between an unnamed husband and his wife, who we eventually learn is named Jeni Roberts (formerly Jeni Ann Orzolek).

"Adult World (I)" is written in a very clinical and observational tone, similar to the style of the previous story "The Depressed Person." The first half of "Adult World (I)" clinically lists and details the many ways that Jeni is privately afraid that her husband is not satisfied with their lovemaking at the time around their third anniversary. Specifically, she is worried that...