Book 1, Chapter 1, (First Date, One) Summary

Saturday, October 26, 1991 Henry = 28: Clare = 20

Clare enters Newberry library, excited about writing a paper for art history; she asks for assistance and Isabelle introduces her to Mr. Detamble (Henry). The Henry that Clare loves is not this Henry, this is Henry of the present and the Henry who has visited throughout her childhood is the one of the future. This Henry has no recollection of Clare and she finds that upsetting, but taking it in her stride, she invites Henry out to Beau Thai for dinner. Henry is currently dating Ingrid Carmichael and feels exhausted from the constant fighting they have been experiencing. Captivated by Clare's beauty, he accepts. Taking a blue child's diary to the dinner, which has 152 dates inscribed in it ranging from September 23, 1977 - May 24, 1989, Clare explains the dates' significance to Henry, and...