Summary

In Chapter 18, “Fever Dream,” Ingrid had a dream that she was put on trial for having “a white fetish” (320). After excessive questioning, Ingrid began to realize that dating white men “made her feel less Asian,” which was safe and comfortable (331).

When Ingrid woke up, she was desperate to talk to the four people in her dream. First, she visited Alex. She apologized for what had happened, and asked him out to dinner. He revealed he was seeing a new girl, but they agreed to be friends.

Then Ingrid confronted Vivian, asking her opinion about dating “nonwhite men” (342). She wanted to try dating men of color, but was afraid of the implications.

Ingrid then drove to “her parents’ house” (343). She asked them if she had hated herself as a child. Her parents’ shared stories about her childhood, eventually confessing their true feelings about...