39: Xavier
Contains spoilersOverview
Xavier, back in Minnesota after the funeral, talks with Samantha as she navigates her first day alone caring for Lisa and learns she has been abruptly fired. He struggles with distance and helplessness while offering practical support and comfort. At the clinic, Xavier consults with Dr. Hank Brekken, whose advice and observations echo Xavier’s feelings about separation and bonded pairs.
Summary
On a frigid morning in Minnesota, Xavier worked at his clinic while speaking to Samantha, who updated him on the family’s decision to try part-time in-home care and a sleep aid for Lisa instead of moving her to a facility. Samantha, exhausted and anxious about being alone with her mother for the first time, bantered with Xavier about Tristan’s predictions and her father’s dating before leaving for a work call.
After the call, Xavier felt an acute loneliness and a pull toward Samantha’s home, reflecting on how time with her had changed his tolerance for being alone. He tended to a senior dog and spoke with Dr. Hank Brekken, who offered treatment advice for a Lab that swallowed a Christmas bulb and suggested kenneling bonded Dalmatian brothers together to reduce stress—remarks that resonated with Xavier’s own sense of separation.
Samantha called back in distress to report she had been fired during a brief Zoom, as her client consolidated marketing teams and retained the Heinz staff; her assistant was also terminated. She received three months’ severance and faced expensive COBRA premiums. Xavier tried to reassure her while hearing Lisa repeatedly ask for her mother, escalating Samantha’s strain.
Recognizing the risk of a meltdown with Lisa, Xavier coached Samantha to de-escalate by taking Lisa to the backyard gazebo and using a short, calming music playlist with both earbuds to steady herself while focusing on sensory details in the garden. He created and sent the playlist, insisting she stabilize herself first so she could manage Lisa.
Knowing Samantha would be alone until evening, Xavier alerted the family group chat (excluding Samantha) to ask who could come home early; Tristan said he could. Xavier also sent Samantha her favorite iced coffee for delivery.
Feeling powerless across the distance, Xavier unfollowed Murkle’s on Instagram after seeing Samantha’s final post for the brand and reflected that he and Samantha were like bonded animals kept in separate cages, unable to comfort each other despite being a pair.
Who Appears
- Xavier
veterinarian and Samantha’s partner; works at the clinic, advises Samantha, creates a calming playlist, contacts her family, and orders her coffee.
- Samantha
marketer and caregiver; alone with Lisa for the first time after the funeral; fired during a consolidation; follows Xavier’s de-escalation plan.
- Lisa
Samantha’s mother with dementia; repeatedly asks for her own mother; is taken to the backyard gazebo.
- Dr. Hank Brekken
retired vet now assisting at the clinic; offers treatment advice and notes bonded pairs should be kenneled together.
- Maggie
clinic staff; assists with a blood draw and handles Hank’s paperwork.
- Tristan
Samantha’s brother; agrees via group chat to come home early to help.
- Samantha’s father
discussed regarding dating and the care plan; not on-page in this chapter.
- Murkle’s/Heinz marketing team
corporate entities; Murkle’s consolidates with Heinz’s team, resulting in Samantha’s termination.