Summary

Greene begins Part 5 by reflecting on the strained relationship between Stacy and her mother, Susan, over the course of previous months. Susan became increasingly reclusive after Greta’s accident, staying home and ignoring calls for long stretches. At Christmas, they all see each other for the first time in a long while. Stacy and her brother, Jack, gently nudge her into considering moving to Brooklyn, but she remains resolved to stay in her building on the Upper West Side, a decision no one in the family understands.

Greene then pivots back into the present tense, explaining that Stacy and Susan’s relationship has been especially tense since they revealed their pregnancy. Jayson is not entirely clear why they struggle to communicate. As if to hide from this tension, Stacy and Jayson retreat into a furious yoga routine for structure and rejuvenation...