Summary

Otto and William discussed their Thanksgiving plans. Otto was reluctant to visit his family, and not interested in seeing their neighbors, Naomi and Margaret. He argued that William would need time to practice for his upcoming concert. William mentioned an article about "holiday depression" (45). Annoyed, Otto dismissed him.

Otto knew William was right: visiting family was tradition. He silently admitted his desire to see his sister Sharon. Part of him even wanted to see Naomi, Margaret, and their new baby. Yet his want was loose and amorphous. After his mother had died, he thought he would be free of his family. What he really wanted was to be "alone in the world...with William" (47). He thought his age should free him from his siblings, Corinne, Martin, and Sharon. Despite the sparing attention he paid them, they continued contacting him.

The week prior, Corinne...