On a whim, Ann picks up actor Tom Hanks’s collection of short stories to read and unexpectedly enjoys it. She sends an endorsement, after which his publicist invites her to interview him as part of his book tour. Ann is introduced to Tom’s team at the event, including Sooki Raphael, his assistant. Ann is struck by Sooki and the coat she is wearing—“a fitted evening coat with saucer-sized peonies embroidered onto black velvet” (232-33).

Months after the event, Tom and his wife, Rita Wilson, visit Nashville and Ann’s bookstore. Ann and Tom stay in touch, and months later Tom agrees to record the audiobook for Ann’s novel, The Dutch House. Ann begins to correspond with Sooki to coordinate the project and learns about her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Their correspondence grows more affectionate over time, though it is sometimes sporadic.

Ann eventually learns that after being in remission for some time, Sooki’s cancer is back; she will need chemotherapy and possibly a clinical trial. Ann mentions Sooki to Karl, who is a general internist. He suggests there’s a good possibility of finding the right trial in Nashville, and Ann asks Sooki to send him her details if she is interested.