Summary

In Part I, Chapter 1, Hazel Saltwater stands at her apartment window "at the Apelles," and watches "men working on the building across the street" (3). Ever since losing her husband, Vikram, in 9/11, Hazel has had a difficult time. New York is a perfect place to hide, but Hazel wants "to be seen" (4).

After Vik disappeared, Hazel felt relieved. She had often hoped he would die by accident. Despite these feelings, Hazel still loves and misses Vik. Sometimes, she is unconvinced he is dead.

Hazel thinks her trouble started when she was six, "at a party, asleep on the Vornados' guest bed" (8). Vik, 13 at the time, had left Albert Caldwell, an elderly former lawyer, on the bed with her. Albert has been with her ever since. She looks at the men again. She wants them to "bear witness” to what she is about...