On Monday, August 25, Alice described spending two numb days after the breakup before deciding to leave the lake early with Nan. She packed the cottage, said goodbye to the space and their summer projects, left the key, and deliberately avoided any goodbye to Charlie.

Back in the city, Alice established a strict routine to cope: she rented a darkroom, scheduled time for her own art, set a meeting with Elyse to show new photos, and swam daily. Despite the physical discipline and reaching sixty laps, she felt no relief from heartbreak and was overwhelmed by the loneliness of her sleek, impersonal condo.

At the pool, a pregnant Percy recognized Alice and helped her when she faltered. Percy said she had heard a sanitized account from Sam and, with sensitivity, hinted that Charlie was going through more than Alice knew, beyond his father’s situation and birthday anxieties. Alice rejected the idea of more engagement with Charlie, but Percy asked to keep in touch and proposed future swims and meals, which Alice accepted.

Alone later, Alice struggled with missing Charlie and tried to focus on her work and home comforts. She ate Charlie’s frozen pierogi but found no solace. Feeling isolated from friends and family schedules, she texted her siblings for support.

Heather, Lavinia, and Luca arrived immediately with tequila and cake, turning the evening into a messy, comforting family gathering. Their father, Kip Everly, soon joined, offering humor and protection, and Alice leaned on him as the twins recounted a lightened version of the breakup.

Unexpectedly, Alice’s mother arrived, saying Nan thought Alice might need her. Alice broke down and embraced her. The next morning, in pajamas over leftover cake, Alice told her mother the full story of the summer. Her mother suggested the story with Charlie might not be over and then spoke candidly about seeking a new beginning out west after years of motherhood, missing the feeling of purpose, and not wanting to be a burden.

Alice admitted she still needed her mother, and her mother promised she would always show up for her. They recognized their shared habit of avoiding being an imposition and reaffirmed that they could ask for and give help. The conversation left Alice seen and supported, even as she maintained distance from Charlie.