The Night We Met
by Abby Jimenez
Contents
43: Chris
Overview
Larissa calls Chris in tears after being effectively forced out of Donna’s diner by a nut-heavy menu. Chris insists she come stay with him indefinitely and not work for now, pledging financial and emotional support. He hardens against Donna and questions Mike’s role, marking a decisive shift in loyalties.
Summary
Chris wakes to find Larissa gone but reassured by her note that she’s retrieving her things. He prepares his home for her return, stocking her preferred items and setting out a book, when Larissa calls, crying, to say she has lost her job.
Larissa explains Donna added nuts across the menu and pressured her to quit, effectively making it unsafe for her to work there. Chris immediately tells Larissa to come home, pushing back when she says she needs to work and has nowhere to live.
Chris offers Larissa indefinite housing and to cover her expenses, urging her to rest and not make decisions in crisis. He affirms he will not let her drown financially and that he wants her with him, appealing to her reluctance to accept help by emphasizing his commitment.
Privately, Chris vows not to forget Donna’s actions and feels a permanent rift from that family. He questions what Mike said to turn blame onto Larissa, which deepens his anger toward Mike. After a pause, Larissa accepts and agrees to come home.
Who Appears
- ChrisNarrator; prepares his home, offers Larissa indefinite support, rejects Donna’s treatment, and hardens against Mike’s and Donna’s family.
- LarissaCalls in tears after losing her job due to a nut-heavy menu; worries about money and housing; accepts Chris’s support.
- DonnaOff-page employer who adds nuts to the menu, effectively forcing Larissa to quit.
- MikeOff-page; Chris suspects his narrative contributed to Donna’s actions, intensifying Chris’s anger.