Summary

When Cassie and Maria arrive at Nicole’s house, their friend is buoyant yet irritated that they seem high. She introduces them to a table of women with “skin pulled taut over bone, all puffy vests, tanned flesh, honeyed highlights” (108). Nicole hisses at the narrator not to mess up her party. At dinner, Cassie embraces her fake self to cope with the women's questions. When Nicole cuts the cake that Cassie bought on the discount rack at the grocery store, she finds a cockroach inside. Cassie is unsure how to explain the insect, but the attention shifts to Maria when she collapses on her plate. The next morning, Cassie goes to the museum to soothe herself. However, her dread returns when she leaves. At work, Cassie’s inbox is inundated with resumes for the PR job. However, the work day is interrupted...