Chapter 33

On Sunday at noon, Naomi heads to Jeremy’s house determined to focus on time with Teddy despite missing the start of his sixth birthday party. The street is jammed with guests’ cars, and music and laughter pour from the backyard, signaling an enormous celebration.

Naomi slips through the gate and finds an extravagant scene: bouncy castle with waterslide, clown, pony, towering cake, and a crowd that seems to include Teddy’s entire class. She panics when she cannot immediately find Teddy, then relaxes as Teddy runs to her excitedly, noting that Jeremy said she would not come.

Jeremy confronts Naomi, angry that she arrived “early,” insisting he said one o’clock while Naomi recalls noon. As tension rises, Veronica intervenes, politely inviting Naomi to stay and directing her to the food inside. Naomi follows Teddy around briefly, then drifts to the kitchen for wine and food, feeling displaced in her former home.

There, Naomi encounters Cora, who had previously commiserated about Naomi being excluded. Cora awkwardly admits she brought her son because all the kids were attending. Naomi, stung by the hypocrisy, rebuffs Cora’s attempt to smooth things over and ends the conversation.

Left alone with her drink, Naomi reflects on the spectacle, Jeremy’s hostility, Veronica’s poised politeness, and Cora’s betrayal. She resolves to endure the remainder of the party for Teddy’s sake, quietly counting the minutes until it ends.