Summary

“Best Features” is a short story about a self-proclaimed fat girl, Milly. Although Milly’s face is extraordinarily beautiful, she has made peace with the knowledge that the world finds fat synonymous with ugly and there is nothing she can do about it.

Milly is dating a troubled man named Jack. Jack has done time in the county lockup and was not a good man, consumed by his loneliness and anger. Despite his troubled background, Milly found herself falling for his “awkwardness and sincerity of honesty.” (164) He did not trust himself behind the wheel, so he walked to Milly’s apartment every day. Due to all the walking, Jack had thighs that flexed with every step and he knew this was his best feature.

Milly is a wonderful cook and frequently makes meals for Jack. When Jack compliments her and says that “it...