Summary

In Part 7, “Summer 2094,” after Charlie met her husband for the first time, Grandfather explained that he was homosexual, that they would not have sex, but that he would take care of her. According “to the 2078 Marriage Act,” everyone had to marry when they turned 35 (592). Couples could live with same-sex partners, but were given only “a single person’s benefits” (592). Gay marriages were illegal. Most homosexual individuals chose to marry partners of the opposite sex for their own survival.

Throughout the early days of her marriage, Charlie had hoped her husband would fall in love with her. As unhappy as her husband’s “inability to love [her]” had made Charlie, David’s “inability was worse” (595).

Over the following days, Charlie noticed a change in her husband’s demeanor. Meanwhile, Charlie continued avoiding the Square. When she looked outside, she noticed David waiting for...