Summary

The second chapter begins earlier in time with a third-person account of Penn and Rosie’s first date from Penn’s perspective. Penn experiences flu-like symptoms an hour before leaving for the date, and falls in love with Rosie upon seeing her for the first time, despite not believing in love at first sight. On their first date, the two discuss Rosie’s sister’s death. That night, Penn is certain that they will have a daughter named Poppy.

In the next chapter, “Residency,” Penn dates Rosie while he was pursuing an MFA in creative writing and she was in medical school. Penn associates his excitement to woo Rosie with his study of narrative theory. He comes come to the hospital where she is doing her residency to meet her after her shift, though she discourages him from doing...