A Rare Specimen
Contains spoilersOverview
Tova, determined to fix her mistake, purchases a rare $2,000 replacement Grateful Dead T-shirt and insists on same-day pickup in Tukwila. On the congested freeway she fields a call from Charter Village and authorizes her final deposit, committing to the move while reflecting on Erik’s death and the what-ifs.
Summary
At Janice Kim’s house, Tova asks for help finding a replacement for the Grateful Dead T-shirt she ruined at Ethan’s. They locate the exact 1995 concert shirt on an auction site. Despite the $2,000 price, Tova pays by credit card, calling it a rare specimen. Refusing to wait for shipping, she selects warehouse pickup in Tukwila and declines Janice’s offer to accompany her.
Tova sets out alone in light rain and crawls through freeway traffic toward Seattle. As lanes slow and shift, she struggles with her cell phone when it rings, finally answering on speaker.
Patrick from Charter Village admissions calls about her missing authorization for the final deposit, which is needed to secure next month’s move-in date. While negotiating lane changes, Tova’s thoughts drift to Will’s habit of choosing the slow checkout line and to the day Erik died, pondering whether small choices might have changed anything.
Prompted by Patrick, Tova returns to the moment and gives verbal authorization to process the draft. The call ends with her commitment to the move affirmed as she continues her drive to retrieve the shirt.
Who Appears
- Tova Sullivan
Determined to atone for ruining Ethan’s shirt; buys a rare replacement, drives to Tukwila, and authorizes her Charter Village deposit.
- Janice Kim
Helps Tova navigate an auction site, reacts to the $2,000 price, prints pickup details, and offers to accompany her.
- Patrick
Charter Village admissions staffer who calls for final deposit authorization; obtains Tova’s verbal approval.
- Rolo
Janice’s small dog; present during the online search and purchase.