Summary

Isabel studies the Brooklyn scene outside her bedroom window. Spring has started to arrive. Her husband Dan sleeps soundly behind her. She “turns back to the window” and spots an owl in the tree (4). She watches it while anticipating “another day’s difficulties” (5). Her brother Robbie who lives with her is looking for a new place to live. Her coworker Derrick is giving her trouble at work. The owl disappears. The city keeps moving. The shoe repair store across the street opens.

Robbie lives in Isabel and Dan’s attic. He teaches sixth grade. In his spare time, he runs an Instagram page for Wolfe, a fictional character he and Isabel invented as children. He distracts himself from grading essays by updating Wolfe’s page.

Living in the attic has helped Robbie pay his bills. Because Isabel’s family is growing...