Disunity

Georgie and Neal are no longer the united front they once were. In 2013, they do not see eye to eye about most things and are, in fact, often antagonistic to one another. They have little time to speak to one another in real conversation. Instead, they are mostly discussing logistics or considering what their daughters might need.

An example is an exchange they have when the pair plans to set out for Omaha. Neal does not directly state what is bothering him or tell Georgie he thinks she should travel with him for Christmas. Instead, he simply says, “We already have plane tickets” (6). With this statement, Neal demonstrates that he simply wants Georgie to figure out what is bothering him; he will not tell her. The only indication that he is frustrated with her? “Neal’s nostrils were flaring” (6).

Georgie and Neal's present-day disunity is much...