Summary

In Chapter 8, during a dinner with his and Avi's family, Neil was surprised to hear a discussion about gold thefts in California and Georgia. Neil wondered about Anjali's involvement.

Neil met with his dissertation advisor. His advisor recommended he discard the fictional aspects of his project, and focus on the research. Neil suggested some new goals. Afterwards, he wandered campus, seeing Shruti in other girls.

Considering his relationship with the past, and thinking of Anita, Neil texted her. That night he visited her apartment. Neil was surprised by the barrenness of the space. He wondered if she was trying “to erase herself” (241). She explained that she did not have much left after her recent breakup. They smoked weed and talked. Anita talked about her former work in the tech world, having a breakdown, and starting over. Then they talked about past relationships. Anita...