Contents
Chapter 5
Overview
Naomi moves Teddy into Jeremy’s late mother’s apartment, expecting a brief stay during supposed home renovations. Jeremy arrives without luggage, uses a code to isolate Teddy, and confesses there is no renovation. He asks for a divorce, upending Naomi’s plans and revealing the true reason for the upheaval.
Summary
After Teddy’s ice-skating lesson, Naomi, short on groceries, grabs vegan takeout and texts Jeremy, then drives Teddy to Jeremy’s late mother’s apartment. Teddy notices the change, questions why they are there, and balks at the small space. Naomi reassures him it’s temporary during supposed renovations.
Teddy asks about his belongings, insisting he never packed, recalling only TV and a bedtime story with Jeremy. Naomi assumes packing happened and looks to Jeremy’s arrival for confirmation. Jeremy shows up in his work suit with only a briefcase, not the expected suitcases.
Jeremy hands Teddy an iPad and uses their family code phrase—“watch monkey videos”—to send Teddy into the bedroom, signaling a serious adult conversation. Once Teddy is safely out of earshot, Naomi asks what’s happening.
Jeremy loosens his tie and admits there is no renovation. He then tells Naomi he wants a divorce, shattering her assumptions and clarifying his secrecy and the missing luggage.
Who Appears
- NaomiMother and narrator; moves Teddy into the apartment, seeks reassurance, then hears Jeremy’s divorce announcement.
- JeremyArrives without luggage, uses the family code to isolate Teddy, reveals no renovation, and asks for a divorce.
- TeddyConfused by the move, denies packing, reacts to the small apartment, then obeys the code and retreats with an iPad.