Sheila

Sheila is the narrator of the story "Guts." She is dating a med student, Tim, and the story revolves around her constant preoccupation with bodies—her own and others'. Hearing Tim's stories about his work, she begins to see the people around her as vessels for tumors, or heart disease, or other ailments. Meanwhile Sheila also feels terribly insecure about her own body because of its size. She makes disparaging remarks about her weight, remembers every disparaging remark made my someone else, and drinks and smokes marijuana as a coping mechanism for her shame and self-loathing. At the end of the story, Sheila has hit a breaking point, and she arrives at Tim's hospital drunk. The only thing that can calm her down is being touched by Tim, who assures her she is alright, as he carefully lists off every part of her body.

Sara

Sara is the...