Summary

In "Potluck," shortly after getting out of the hospital, Lionel's classmate invited him to a potluck. From outside the apartment, Lionel recognized no one "apart from the host" (2). The host ushered Lionel inside. They exchanged a few words. Lionel had not kept in touch over the past few weeks.

When the guests greeted Lionel, he "felt alive" (3). Lionel made himself a plate, smashing the food together. The host insisted he join the living room. Lionel felt outside the group, unable to join their conversations (5).

Charles introduced himself to Lionel. They talked about how they knew the host. He and Lionel had gone to undergrad together, and had later "been accepted into the same applied mathematics program at Wisconsin," where they were now (7). Then they talked about work. Lionel proctored exams at the university. When he told Charles he liked the job...