Interesting that almost a year after Ellen began ignoring him, David is trying get again to crack the door. What was said between him and Dad, and how does this relate to Dad's recent negotiation's with Sam? Is this a healthy bidding war that Dad is trying to work, and if so can Willem get to the tabel in time?
Hummus, you say? Interesting.
See highlight. I'm fascinated at the prospect that Ellen is only now realizing that no, in fact, she has no more power over her working life or marriage than she does over her diet, exercise routine or bank accounts. Hello, Ellen? Although you've managed to convey it masterfully as narrator, you're actually the character with the least agency in your story. It's like the big reveal on the Truman Show--except that even if it does sink in for our protagonist, she is bound to forget it tomorrow and return to oblivious acquiescence.
Good afternoon, good evening and goodnight!
Actually, I think Dad's regular check-ups in Ellen's apartement are totally justified. She, her mom, and Margie have all demonstrated how far they will go to hide their silly expenditures from men, so Dad has good reason to [trust, but] verify.
Thank's for your patience! I was indeed absent for a few days there. By this point all readers understand that it's always about my weight or measurements--you understand how urgent but ultimately hopeless this is.
I note here that while Harold wants to meet up in the city and Ellen suspects his premise, there's no more mention of them being near-neighbors. Did he move?
So MP's Labor Day party was an elegant affair. I thought it was a big deal that Sam went into the pool in his skivvies, given that they were probably white, but I should have known that was just the beginning. Harold got naked and the two of them fought throughout about who was gay. Ellen may have decisively dumped Sam before wandering off with the distinguished Willem. Tentatively I say, good move. However, Sam is poised to become another bothersome, ooogleing fixture in Ellen's life now since he's buddy-buddy with MP and apparently using the firm for something or other.
My favorite aspect of this post, remote as it is, is the treatment of Jim. We open in his sad-sack apartment (divorce, you think?) and close with the answer to my recent question about why Roberta deals with this dead weight. Or, such an answer as it is. Interested in more backstory (and less underwear wrestling).
PHX