The following edition of the text was used in the creation of this study guide: Markovits, Ben. The Rest of Our Lives. Faber & Fabe, 2025. Kindle AZW file.

Tom Layward, a law professor, recounts that when his son was 12, his wife Amy had an affair with a man from her synagogue, Zach Zirksy. Amy said the affair had ended and did not want a divorce, so Tom decided to remain married until their youngest child, Miri, left for college. Twelve years later, the family spends the summer before Miri’s departure at Amy’s family’s holiday home in Cape Cod. Tom recalls meeting Amy in graduate school in Boston while she was dating his friend Ethan. After Ethan moved to Europe, Tom and Amy began dating, and Tom soon left his literature program to study for the LSATs.

At Cape Cod, Miri and her boyfriend Jim, who will soon break up when they leave for college, argue frequently. Later, Amy criticizes Miri’s eating habits, which causes tension between them and Tom recalls earlier conflicts over Miri’s clothing and a nose piercing. The next morning Jim leaves, and Miri asks to be alone. Tom and Amy feel uncertain about what to do with themselves as they anticipate her departure. Tom explains that their older son Michael, who lives in Los Angeles, keeps his distance from the family. Michael returns home to see Miri before she leaves for college, and he and Miri go into the city together, leaving Tom and Amy alone.

During a game of basketball, Tom tells Michael that six months earlier he had been asked by his friend Brian Palmetto to consult on a case defending Denver Nuggets owner Terry Kirkland, who had been accused of racial and sexual harassment. Tom helped produce a report defending Kirkland, who was ultimately suspended for a year and fined $15 million. Because Tom’s involvement caused negative publicity, his law school dean suggested he take a leave from teaching, which Tom accepted without telling Amy. Michael criticizes Tom for supporting Kirkland and urges him to see a doctor about his health, though Tom believes his symptoms are due to Long Covid.

The next day friends visit for lunch. Amy becomes drunk and emotional about Miri leaving for college, accuses Tom of being cold, and says he plans to leave her. After an argument between Amy and Miri about packing, Michael suggests Tom take Miri to college alone. Michael returns to Los Angeles, Tom and Miri drive to Pittsburgh, and Amy stays home. Tom recalls that Amy’s affair with Zach Zirsky occurred during a difficult period at work and reflects that Miri’s presence kept the marriage together after their son Michael left for college.

During the drive, Amy calls Miri and expresses regret about not coming. Tom and Miri discuss her breakup with Jim. They arrive in Pittsburgh, Tom helps her move in, and leaves. After leaving Miri at college, Tom stays in Pittsburgh with his old friend Sam Tierney, a college professor. Tom recalls living with Sam during graduate school and his abandoned plan to write a book about pickup basketball. He realizes Sam is in a relationship with a much younger graduate student. The next day, instead of meeting Sam for lunch, Tom takes a wrong turn while driving and decides to continue on rather than return or go home. Tom decides to visit his younger brother Eric in South Bend, Indiana, reflecting on their different childhood experiences after their father abandoned the family.

On the way, Tom stops at a tavern and meets a woman named Diane and her father, who invite him to a cookout, but he chooses not to attend. He later plays basketball with a man named Frank, becomes short of breath, and refuses Frank’s suggestion to go to the hospital. Tom tells Frank he is writing a book about pickup basketball. He calls Amy, tells her he is visiting Eric, and admits he is on leave from work. Amy responds angrily.

Tom visits his younger brother Eric in South Bend. Eric, who is divorced and sees his two daughters only part-time, avoids a job promotion that would take him further away from them. Tom reflects that Eric is trying not to repeat their father’s abandonment of the family. Tom also recalls attending their father’s funeral, which was filled with people from their father’s later life and new family.

The next morning Tom leaves to visit his friend Brian Palmetto. Tom visits Brian, who lost his job with the Denver Nuggets after supporting the team owner during the harassment scandal. Brian encourages Tom’s plan to write a book about pickup basketball, and they play at a local court and take photos. Brian also urges Tom to speak with basketball player Todd Gimmell, who claims the NBA discriminates against white players, and tells Tom he has recently been in contact with Tom’s former girlfriend Jill, giving him her address.

Tom drives to Las Vegas to visit his former girlfriend Jill. She invites him inside and introduces him to her daughter, Katie. They swim and later go to dinner with Jill’s friends. Tom briefly imagines starting a new life with Jill but feels uncomfortable with the idea of becoming a father figure to her daughter. Jill tells him they cannot sleep together, and Tom leaves the next morning.

Tom then travels to Los Angeles to visit his son Michael and to meet basketball player Todd Gimmell about a potential lawsuit alleging discrimination against white NBA players. After speaking with Todd, Tom concludes that Todd’s experiences do not demonstrate systemic bias. Tom later has dinner with Michael and his friends, including a woman named Betty, whom he suspects is Michael’s girlfriend.

The next day Tom and Michael visit Tom’s father’s grave before meeting Betty for lunch. While swimming with Betty, Tom again feels unwell. Later, while at Betty’s apartment, he collapses, and she calls an ambulance. At the hospital doctors determine that Tom’s symptoms are likely more serious than long Covid. The next day an oncologist informs him that he has cancer and needs a biopsy. Tom collapses during an exam, frightening Michael. Michael tells Amy and Miri about the diagnosis, and the family speaks together by phone. Amy flies to Los Angeles and attends Tom’s medical appointment with him. Afterward, while waiting for further results, Amy asks where he wants to go, and Tom replies that he wants to go home.