16: The Porch Furniture

At noon Thursday, Gus reappears at his kitchen table, apologizing via note for being absent. January, unsettled yet drawn to him, declines their usual deck hangout and claims work. She notices Gus’s Möbius strip tattoo has been inked over and, unable to focus, steps to the front porch and emails Sonya to ask whether to keep or sell the inherited porch furniture.

Friday afternoon, Gus rushes over: Dave—the former New Eden member who previously bailed—has arrived unannounced. January goes to Gus’s house for the interview, experiencing his space for the first time. Dave explains he missed their Olive Garden meeting to attend a sobriety session and now feels ready to talk, hoping the story might help others.

Dave recounts childhood sleepwalking, a lightning strike that spurred his mother to seek faith, and a flyer that led them to New Eden. Though his father initially dismissed religion, he became deeply involved. Dave describes punishments masked as “atonement,” isolation, and beatings. During a storm, Dave’s mother found him sleepwalking outside; soon after, lightning struck their trailer, causing the first, contained New Eden fire. Fearing deeper entanglement and retribution, his mother secretly took him away, believing she couldn’t save his father, who later died in a later fire.

After four intense hours, Dave leaves. Gus offers January a drink, but his emotional reserve—epitomized by his newly blacked-out tattoo and lack of explanation—keeps her at arm’s length. Wanting more than small talk, January declines and heads home. At the door, Gus repeats, “It’s good to see you,” and January ends the night, resolved against half-truths despite their evident chemistry.