Summary

In "Five Tuesdays in Winter," Mitchell owned a bookstore in Porland, Maine. His 12-year-old daughter, Paula, "accused him of loving his books but hating his customers" (43). Paula, on the other hand, loved the customers. She often made comments to Mitchell's "only other employee," Kate, about her father's dourness (44). Kate had moved to Portland a few months prior for her boyfriend, Lincoln. Though Mitchell often wanted to kiss Kate, he knew it "was a persistent, irritating, useless desire" (45). Mitchell was used to being alone anyway. His wife had left him and his parents were both dead. Even his favorite customer, Mrs. White, had died.

One afternoon, Paula asked Mitchell if Kate could tutor her in Spanish. They made arrangements for Kate to visit the house and work with Paula on Tuesday evenings.

Kate looked different when she...