Summary

In “I Kiss a Door,” a narrator recalls a past friend of hers named Eleanor. The narrator is generally jealous of Eleanor’s life. Eleanor had a loving and supportive father, while the narrator did not. Eleanor grew up to be a successful musician, while the narrator makes a living working as a waitress. The narrator recalls going with Eleanor’s father to see Eleanor perform. The narrator felt that Eleanor’s father was flirting with her. The narrator and Eleanor eventually lost contact with each other. Eventually, the narrator heard a rumor that Eleanor was in an incestuous relationship with her father. The narrator wondered if it was true.

In “The Boy from Lam Kien,” an agoraphobic woman practices leaving her house. Only a few yards from her house, she stops near a nail salon called Lam...