Summary

Eight months ago, Richard had one of the most dexterous right hands in the world, but it is now immobile. He sits down at his piano, horrified by the sight of his immovable right hand on the keys. To appease his panic, he plays Brahm’s First Concerto with his left hand, remembering the sound of the Boston Symphony Orchestra accompanying him the previous summer. In his passion, he knocks his right hand off the keys, but channels his pain into the music. He knows in his gut that he will lose his left hand next, and he plays harder until he is pounding on the keys with his fist, weeping.

Against Grace’s protestations, Karina visits her at the University of Chicago. She quickly realizes Grace’s secret is her new boyfriend, Matt. At a coffee shop, Matt mentions he has heard...