The Night We Met
by Abby Jimenez
Contents
15: Larissa
Overview
Larissa packs for the cabin trip, revealing her exhaustion from nonstop work and craving a break. Her mother suggests moving in with Phil, which Larissa firmly rejects. They show kindness to a neighbor, and Larissa anticipates the getaway as Chris prepares to drive her while Mike is already at the cabin. A surprising text from Chris hints at deepening dynamics.
Summary
Larissa prepares for a weekend at a lake cabin, excited for rest from her relentless side gigs and constant pressure to be productive. She shows her mother the bikini she plans to bring and confirms she will return Sunday night.
As they talk, Larissa’s mother mentions possibly having Phil over and even suggests he move in to split rent three ways. Larissa is immediately repelled and firmly refuses, reasserting her boundaries about her home environment.
A brief interruption comes when Larissa and her mother assemble a snack box for Delta, a neighbor who passes behind their apartment with a shopping cart. They give it to him, underscoring Larissa’s and her mother’s small acts of kindness amid their modest circumstances.
Larissa describes the cabin Mike showed her in photos—a large lakeside place with a fireplace, pontoon, and Jet Skis. She notes that Mike went up early to fix things while Chris, whom she has seen more than Mike lately, will pick her up in about twenty minutes to drive her there.
As Larissa finishes packing, Chris texts her something surprising. She withholds the content from her mother, choosing to let her see it later, while her anticipation for the trip and the shifting dynamics among Larissa, Mike, and Chris remain in focus.
Who Appears
- LarissaNarrator; exhausted from overwork, packs for the cabin trip, sets boundaries with Mom, and is intrigued by a surprising text from Chris.
- MomSmokes, suggests her boyfriend Phil move in to split rent; helps give a snack box to Delta.
- ChrisPlans to drive Larissa to the cabin and sends a surprising text, highlighting growing closeness.
- MikeLarissa’s boyfriend; went to the cabin early to fix things, largely absent lately.
- DeltaNeighbor experiencing homelessness; gratefully accepts a snack box from Larissa and her mother.
- PhilMom’s boyfriend; proposed moving in, which Larissa firmly rejects.