Clarissa, I learn, lives in Williamsburg, Joanie in Tribeca and Shirley in the West Village, of course. Clarissa’s looking to buy property in Mustique and Page inquires about that avidly. Joanie is thinking of bottle-feeding the third kid, her boobs have had enough, thank you very much. Shirley and her wife, Layla, may move out of Manhattan and live year-round in the Hamptons, but she says that all the time and it never happens, especially since their kids are loving their school. “Though I’m trying to convince them to have a running track on the roof, on Layla’s dime of course. Bea loves sprinting and the school needs to support her dream!” Ruthie’s boyfriend’s company, some VC firm, is going into the cannabis industry.

At some point Ruthie procures a joint and that’s passed around. Everyone seems to have, thankfully, forgotten about me and I go inside to use the restroom, taking my time on the toilet, swiping through my phone. I’m pretty drunk, I realize, as I stand up and look in the mirror. A little cross-faded. I wish Ruthie had put out snacks. As I wash my hands, I wonder idly if I could go to the bodega and come back with something. I’m sure no one would miss me.

When I exit the bathroom, I’m confronted by Shirley.

She’s leaning on the granite kitchen counter that extends nearly to the bathroom, her arms crossed, like she’s been waiting for me. I give her a little wave, try to decide if I should feign ignorance and make my way back out.

“I was kind of weirded out when Page was like, ‘Can I bring Vera?’ I mean, it’s strange you two are hanging out in general, not gonna lie. But you’re actually pretty cool. Not domineering at all. You know your place. Good for you for spending time with Page. I know she needs friends.” She takes a drag from her vape pen. “Page has really been wanting to get to know us. It’s kind of sweet. She emailed me the moment she got to the city and was like, ‘Can you introduce me to all of your and Odilie’s friends? I’ve heard so much about you guys.’ It was so earnest. People aren’t earnest enough these days.” She takes another puff.

My head is swimming. Didn’t Page say that Odilie’s friends were pursuing her?

I try a smile for Shirley. “I just want to do right by Page,” I say. My mouth feels sticky.