“A lot of people miss the point,” Hudson told her. He knew the insinuation that she didn’t understand the book would rile her, and he was right.

“And what would the point be?” she asked, lowering the book and turning the full force of her stare on him.

“What do you think it is?” he goaded her.

“That working in a fish factory sucks?” Caddie tried. “Or how about that everyone in Monterey is a total moron?”

“You’re a smart girl,” Hudson replied. “You can do better than that.”

Caddie flushed. She just realized that she’s in for a fight, Hudson thought, not without some enjoyment. Let’s see where she goes now.

“Okay,” Caddie said. “Let me think.” She put her finger to her cheek, parodying the classic contemplative pose. “Is it about the human struggle to find happiness in a world that wants to keep us from it? Oh, or maybe it’s about the beauty of the individual human spirit and the glory of community?”

Hudson looked at her face, at the narrowed eyes and tight mouth. Her hands clutched the bottom of the book tightly, forcing the pages apart like the wings of a frightened bird. She was a study in anger, beautiful and terrible in her inexplicable rage.

“Don’t look so surprised,” Caddie said. “I read the introduction.” She raised the book to cover her face, leaving him to stare at the cover.

“What’s your problem?” Hudson heard himself speak, prayed that he had just thought the words. When Caddie dropped the book from her face, he realized with rising alarm that he hadn’t.

“Excuse me?” Caddie said.

You started it, Hudson told himself. You might as well finish it. “I want to know what your problem is,” he repeated, striving for a bravado he didn’t feel. “You have this giant chip on your shoulder, and as far as I can tell, there’s no reason for it.”

Caddie closed the book and set it on the couch beside her. “So now you’re an expert on me?” she asked.

“I don’t have to be an expert to notice that you’re being a ...” He stopped.

“A what?” said Caddie. “A brat? A bitch? Why don’t you just say it?” She crossed her arms over her chest and waited, daring Hudson to agree with her.

“Your father loves you very much,” Hudson said.

Caddie laughed. “Really?” she said. “I guess you would know what he loves, right?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hudson asked her.

The expression on Caddie’s face changed. All of a sudden she looked enormously pleased with herself. She cocked her head, looking at him with an unsettling mixture of excitement and disdain. To Hudson, she looked like a cat about to go in for the kill, watching her prey as its inevitable death dawned on it. “You really don’t know, do you?” she said.

“Know what?” said Hudson.