Summary

In Chapter 1, shortly after returning to Oakland, California, Kathleen accompanied her mother Marissa to a bridal shop. Because Marissa’s fiancé Brian “owned a software company called Wayfindr,” he would be financing “the Big Sur wedding” in three months (2). Because Kathleen’s family had never had money, Marissa’s engagement to a wealthy man confused her.

The entire time the women shopped, Marissa scrutinized Kathleen’s body. Marissa’s own body had diminished since her involvement with Brian. Kathleen was horrified when Marissa told her her bracelet shocked her if she was “about to make a bad decision” about food or alcohol (5). Marissa had changed, adopting “the manic renovation of her life” (5).

When Kathleen’s father, Baba, cheated on Marissa 20 years prior, her parents had split. Marissa had been grieving until she met Brian, “the same year [Kathleen had] met Oren,” her ex...