Summary

In June, things start to get better for Ruth and her family. She, Linus, and Howard start to go on walks and ride bikes together. And Annie starts cooking again. Ruth remembers that years ago, Annie told her that she wanted Howard to need her again. Now that he has dementia, she definitely got her wish, although it was not really what she pictured. Ruth's relationship with Theo starts to pick up. They go out to breakfast one day and talk about their most severe breakups.

In July, Ruth explains that Theo speaks about his ex-girlfriend with pride, whereas she speaks about Joel with disappointment. July 9th is Ruth's birthday, and she celebrates it by getting drunk and sneaking into Levin's office, where she glues all of the caps to his pens. She and Theo share a water bottle filled with gin...