Summary

In Chapter 16, Kathleen, Marissa, and Marissa’s friends arrived at the hotel Phil had helped Kathleen book. Watching Marissa in “the mirrored elevator,” Kathleen wondered if she “hoped to seal her destiny here” (214).

In Marissa’s suite, Tiffany spearheaded the decorating. Kathleen gave a toast. Then they went to the spa. In the sauna, Joyce, Meredith, and Tiffany agreed they had “needed this” (218). Joyce revealed her fears that her husband was cheating. Marissa suggested she consider what she would be giving up if she left him. She had weighed these odds with Baba. Kathleen was shocked.

Although Marissa’s friends already knew the truth, Marissa explained that she had known Baba had a mistress. She decided “to live with it,” because she needed to get to the States with Kathleen (221). She made him promise it would never become a problem. When Leslie appeared...