Summary

The semester felt difficult for Maggie. She “couldn’t tell” if it was “because of the weather” or her “personal life” (225). Since her fight with Simon, they had not talked. She looked back at her texts with him and with her friends. She checked her “email for something from Jon” (227).

Without anyone to talk to, Maggie filled her time researching “cosmetic surgery” (227). She convinced herself life would be better if she looked different. She thought about “beauty standards,” watching videos of “beautiful women on Instagram” (229).

At work, Maggie was distracted and disinterested. She had trouble engaging with her colleagues. She made snide remarks about marriage to Olivia. Remembering her friend Emily’s wedding, she invited Jiro. He declined.

Maggie lists her Google searches from February.

Maggie arranged a couple’s therapy session with Jon. Maggie and the therapist, Helen, talked while waiting for...