Summary

Christmas arrives and Ariel takes Matt to a party at the famous writer Gay Tales's house. She remembers the previous year's party, which she attended with Lucy, where they chatted with another famous writer, Nora Ephron. Ariel remembers wisdom Ephron had shared before she passed away. Ephron did not believe in whining, but she did believe it is possible to change one's life. After the Christmas party, Ariel and Matt go for drinks and dance around her apartment together. For the first time in months, Ariel does not feel so alone. She recognizes that she still has her friends and her career. She realizes she would not trade being someone's mother, however briefly, even if she could.

Analysis

Nora Ephron represents one of the book's main messages as Ephors does not believe in whining or feeling sorry for yourself for too long. She encourages...