Whistler
by Ann Patchett
Contents
Interstitial — 3
Overview
Daphne seeks clarity from her mother, who recounts how discovering Eddie and Skip ended her marriage despite genuine affection for Eddie. Daphne lunches with Eddie and accepts a fraught brunch at the Hotallings’, where Polly’s anxiety over Eddie’s leukemia surfaces. Jonathan deftly soothes the crisis; afterward, Daphne and Jonathan bring Eddie home, deepening their renewed bond.
Summary
After discussing the “Whistler” tale with Leda, Daphne calls her mother and visits Winchester. Driving to the raspberry farm crash site, her mother recounts loving Eddie platonically, misreading the Hotallings’ triangle, and finally discovering Skip with his head on Eddie’s chest in the hospital—ending the marriage. She admits she later supported her gay son differently, and recalls Buddy’s decency during the hospital days.
Returning homeward, Daphne meets Eddie at his office; he gifts her a photo of Whistler and over lunch outlines his lifelong, habitual tie to Skip and Polly’s likely denial. He invites Daphne to a Hotalling brunch; she hesitates but agrees.
Jonathan flies home early and insists on accompanying Daphne. In Darien, Skip and Jonathan bond over careers and retirements while Polly hosts a lavish spread. After lunch, Polly corners Jonathan in the kitchen, fearing Eddie’s leukemia has worsened; Jonathan calmly assures her Eddie’s chronic leukemia is stable and promises discretion.
Skip takes Eddie on the Chris-Craft; they return buoyed. Daphne and Jonathan depart with Eddie, learn his leukemia has been manageable, and drive him to Bronxville. At their house, Eddie admires Candy’s curated rabbit paintings; the tour stirs shared memory and quiet grief. Fatigued, Eddie rests, then notices Jonathan’s small toy horse, calling it “Whistler.”
Who Appears
- Daphne FullerNarrator; seeks truth from her mother, reconnects with Eddie, endures Hotalling brunch, hosts Eddie and shares Candy’s rabbit collection.
- Eddie TriplettEditor; lifelong bond with Skip, gifts Whistler photo, manages chronic leukemia, brunch guest, visits Daphne’s home and rests.
- Jonathan FullerDaphne’s husband; returns from Wisconsin, supports Daphne, deftly reassures Polly about Eddie’s leukemia, anchors the Darien visit.
- Abigail (Daphne’s mother)Recounts misreading the Hotallings, discovering Eddie and Skip, and ending her marriage; reflective about past choices.
- Polly HotallingHostess of brunch; anxious about Eddie’s leukemia, alternately gracious and controlling, relieved by Jonathan’s assurances.
- Skip HotallingEddie’s lifelong lover; domineering and nostalgic, takes Eddie boating, shows mixed tenderness and belittlement.
- Lucas EkkerDaphne’s stepfather; former Positivity author, fretful about weeds; emblem of her mother’s current life.
- Buddy ZabriskieDaphne’s father (in memory); decent, once visited Eddie in the hospital; gave Daphne a cherished book.
- LedaDaphne’s sister; confidante who frames Daphne’s journey, wishes to witness the conversation with their mother.