Summary

In Chapter 8, "halfway through spring semester of 2020," David retired from teaching (215). Teaching online did not agree with him, so he "handed in his notice" (215). He and Greta were now home together. Although the pandemic was difficult to adjust to, the "sudden lack of a social life" did not bother David (218). However, he did wish that his children lived closer.

Then one day, Nicholas called. He lived in New York "with his wife, Juana, who was a gastroenterologist, and their five-year-old son, Benny" (218). Because of Juana's job "on the front lines," she was rarely home (219). Nicholas wondered if he and Benny could come stay with David and Greta. David and Greta eagerly agreed. David could not wait for them to arrive. Ever since his children grew up, he had "been in mourning" (220).

Over the course of the weeks preceding Nicholas and Benny's arrival, David became...