After the intensity of Thanksgiving, Alix wakes up grateful that her husband is still next to her in bed. She had fallen asleep late the night before after looking “for two hours to search, scroll, and stare at any image of Kelley Copeland she could find” (197). Alix had quickly discovered Kelley’s penchant for dating young women of color.

Alix goes to brunch with her girlfriends the next day to report on the Kelley and Emira situation, ranting about his fetishizing dating practices and getting validation from the group. Though Alix projects a wounded exterior, inside, she feels that “the idea of Kelley truly having feelings for Emira seemed slightly worse than him using her for his own gain” (201). As they comfort her, Alix’s friends suggest that going to New York will be the best cure for her frustrations.

Once Alix departs for New York, Emira has extra hours to fill with Briar. On Monday they go to a tea house and Briar gets to sort through a large arrangement of different tea bags. On Tuesday, they go sledding and have hot cocoa. Wednesday is for a visit to the mall with Zara; the three girls get a photo with Santa Claus.