Contents
Chapter 28
Overview
In San Francisco after Hank’s death, Harriet and Wyn’s grief and mismatched lives widen the rift between them. Gloria’s fall draws Wyn back to Montana, where he thrives, while Harriet realizes he belongs there. Increasing distance, missed visits, and an unwanted kiss from a colleague culminate in Wyn ending the engagement by phone.
Summary
In the aftermath of Hank’s death, Harriet and Wyn postpone wedding plans as Wyn’s grief deepens. Harriet hides her own pain, fearing Wyn will never recover and feeling guilty for uprooting him to San Francisco. Their days shrink to passing encounters, with Harriet bargaining silently that needing nothing will make Wyn okay.
Harriet begins going out with fellow interns Taye, Grace, and Martin at Wyn’s urging. When Wyn joins them, a condescending remark about his upholstery work leaves him more withdrawn. The couple continues to avoid hard conversations, using affection to paper over the growing disconnect.
Gloria falls and reveals she has had Parkinson’s for years. In Montana, surrounded by family, Wyn brightens, and Harriet realizes she cannot take him back to San Francisco. She urges him to stay a month to help, sensing he may never return. Back in San Francisco, their calls slip, visits fall through, and Harriet fills lonely evenings with intern outings and TV.
After another missed video chat, Harriet meets Martin for a drink; on her stoop, he unexpectedly kisses her. She recoils, calls Wyn immediately, and confesses. Wyn’s hollow response—“This isn’t working anymore”—signals the end. Two days later, Harriet receives her things with no note and tells no one, stunned by the finality.
Who Appears
- HarrietNarrator; struggles through residency and grief, feels Wyn slipping away, urges him to stay in Montana, confesses Martin’s kiss, then is broken up with.
- Wyn ConnorGrieving his father, withdraws in San Francisco, feels diminished among Harriet’s peers, returns to Montana to help Gloria, and ends the engagement by phone.
- Gloria ConnorReveals longstanding Parkinson’s; falls twice, drawing Wyn home to Montana and accelerating the couple’s separation.
- MartinHarriet’s intern colleague; makes a snide comment about Wyn’s work and later kisses Harriet uninvited, triggering her confession and breakup.
- TayeSenior resident who mentors Harriet and integrates her socially with the intern group.
- GraceFellow intern in Harriet’s friend group; part of the hospital social circle.
- Hank ConnorWyn’s late father; his death deepens Wyn’s grief and underpins the chapter’s unraveling.
- MichaelWyn’s brother; helps plan care for Gloria during Wyn’s return to Montana.
- LouWyn’s sister; finishing her MFA, plans to move back, part of family support around Gloria.