Laurie marks her first New Year as a married woman with more complicated resolutions than in her past. She is desperate to make amends with Sarah, resolved to make sure Oscar never doubts her happiness with him, eager for a new professional challenge, and determined to spend more time with her parents and to make Lucille, Oscar’s mom, like her. Laurie escapes the heartbreak of losing Sarah by focusing on her honeymoon in the Maldives and her new life with Oscar, determined not to detract from his newlywed joy. Laurie feels almost relief, acknowledging, “The worst happened, Sarah knows, and in a strange way I feel purged and more able to love Oscar without ambiguity” (274). After returning from their honeymoon, Oscar asks Laurie for her opinion regarding a promotion at work. Oscar’s new job would require working in Brussels three days a week, and even though it surprises Laurie to think that she would not be with her husband for the majority of his work week, she gives him her support.

By May, Laurie has accepted her new part-time week with her husband and tries to fill her time by finding a new magazine job.