Summary

“The Collectibles” is about three female graduate students—Miriam, Jenny, and Linda (the narrator)—each of whom had just broken up with her boyfriend. Most recently, Jenny had been left by her boyfriend Simon for another woman. The roommates gathered together to burn photos and notes from Simon, and even fingernails he had left in the bathroom trash. They smoked a cigarette together, watching their neighbor Mr. Cline using hedge clippers to destroy his wife's carefully trimmed bushes, and complained about men.

Shortly thereafter, Simon began to call regularly for Jenny, but Miriam would not let her answer the phone. Linda reflected on her own ex-boyfriend, Stephen, who was a great kisser but had little else to offer. Every Friday the women ordered pizzas. The deliveryman was handsome and polite, and had beautiful green eyes. One day, the women heard...