Here One Moment
by Liane Moriarty
Contents
Chapter 123
Overview
Eve processes Cherry Lockwood's public denial of psychic powers and reflects on how her own crisis with Dom is stabilizing—he's no longer talking about breaking up. She devises a practical plan to address both their financial troubles and Dom's sleepwalking by moving in with his father, and receives a hopeful lead from Paula about a sleep disorder specialist from the flight. Inspired by bittersweet reflections on Kayla Halfpenny's death and the way life moves on, Eve embraces optimism and resolves to take control of her future.
Summary
Eve is working at the medical center reception desk when she forwards a news article about Cherry Lockwood—dubbed the "Death Lady"—continuing to deny having special powers. Eve reflects that Cherry's public apology and explanation of a mental health crisis came before Eve and Paula needed to use any bribery to identify her. Eve notes that Dom is not fully back to normal—he still worries about money and about hurting her in his sleep—but he has stopped talking about breaking up.
While helping a businessman who is moving back in with his parents to save money, Eve has an epiphany about her own financial shame. She realizes that a man ten years her senior, wearing a tie, is also struggling with money, and that her and Dom's debt, while embarrassing, is not the end of the world. She formulates a plan: they will ask Dom's dad if they can temporarily move into Dom's old bedroom, which will simultaneously save money and address Dom's sleepwalking fears, since his father would be there. Their lease is nearly up, which Eve notes is fortunate.
Eve receives a message from Paula Binici about whether to keep their Death Lady social media accounts running. Some people still refuse to believe Cherry isn't psychic, so Paula suggests keeping the page to moderate comments and track whether predictions are proved wrong. Paula also sends a separate, more exciting message: she remembered the person seated next to her on the flight was a sleep disorder expert. Paula tracked him down and reports he is willing to help Dom with his sleepwalking, though he has a strong Scottish accent. Eve is thrilled.
Eve reflects on Kayla Halfpenny's death and what has happened since. Kayla's friend who filmed the TikTok of the car accident is out of the hospital and doing school road safety talks alongside Kayla's boyfriend, the tall skinny boy from the plane. Eve suspects the friend and boyfriend are now dating and may eventually have a child they name after Kayla. This bittersweet observation leads Eve to a life lesson: when you're gone, everyone keeps living, so you should live your life hard while you can.
Feeling a surge of strength and optimism, Eve compares herself to Wonder Woman, Barbie, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Taylor Swift before being snapped back to reality by a patient waving a hand in front of her face. Eve refocuses, affirming to herself that she is Eve Archer-Fern and the future is in her hands.
Who Appears
- Eve Archer-FernMedical center receptionist who devises practical solutions for her and Dom's problems and embraces optimism.
- DomEve's husband, still worried about finances and sleepwalking but no longer talking about breaking up.
- Paula BiniciEve's friend from the plane who co-ran the Death Lady social media and connects Eve with a sleep disorder expert.
- Cherry LockwoodThe 'Death Lady' who publicly denied psychic powers and explained her mental health crisis.
- Kayla HalfpennyDeceased young woman from the plane whose death prompts Eve's bittersweet reflections on living fully.