Summary

In "These Precious Days," one night in 2017, Patchett decided to read Tom Hanks's Uncommon Type. After finishing, she "sent an endorsement to the editor" (231). Shortly thereafter, Tom Hanks's publicist called Patchett "to interview the actor onstage as part of his book tour" (231). The trip marked the start of Patchett's unlikely friendship with Hanks's assistant, Sooki.

Over the following months, Patchett and Sooki began communicating via email. Though they shared parts of their life, discussed art and books, they did not know each other well. Over the years, Sooki's emails became sporadic, causing Patchett to worry. She soon learned that Sooki had been "diagnosed with pancreatic cancer" and was undergoing treatment (237). Later, when Sooki revealed that the cancer had returned after a period of remission, Patchett told Karl about her condition. Karl offered to look at her paperwork. His hospital was...