The Writing Retreat

Alex’s novel begins with Daphne’s first girlhood encounter with a ghost. Daphne and her sister, Grace, are asleep in bed. Daphne is awakened by footsteps, which tread into their room, then go silent. After several frightening moments, Daphne decides that she was imagining things. She strikes a match to light the lamp and, in that instant, sees a horrible figure before her: the rotting corpse of a woman whose mouth is open in a silent scream.

Alex feels wonderful: Her writing is finally going well, and Wren is now the subject of Roza’s criticism.

Alex decides to try and clear the air and speaks to Wren, who is defensive and dismissive. Alex reminds her of their sexual encounter, which Wren blames on alcohol. Wren suggests that Alex cannot move on due to unrequited romantic feelings. Alex responds that she has only ever loved her as a friend, and that—although their sexual liaison was confusing—she would not have walked away from their friendship because of it. Wren suggests that the two simply “ignore each other” for the rest of the retreat (102).