Happy Place

The novel flashes back to the time Harriet brought Wyn to meet her family in her hometown outside Indianapolis. Over dinner, Wyn enthusiastically made conversation, asking about Eloise’s cosmetology school. Harriet remembered when Eloise did her makeup for school dances—the only time she felt close to her sister. Harriet’s parents called Eloise brilliant, like Harriet, but blamed her for befriending the wrong crowd. Eloise ignored their jabs, but Harriet was sweating.

Harriet’s parents didn’t remember details about Wyn, assuming he was a fellow med student. Harriet was frustrated they cared so little about her fiancé. When Eloise asked about the wedding, her parents interjected that it was too soon to plan, given Harriet’s upcoming residency. Wyn promised that he didn’t “want to do anything that gets in the way of Harriet’s career” (239). Harriet’s parents bragged that Harriet never had a rebellious streak; praising her perfect grades and scholarships, her father said, “Our girl Harriet is going to change the world” (240).

After supper, Harriet’s mom called Wyn a very nice young man, but she didn’t see their love lasting. She told Harriet not to rush into anything—feelings come and go, and career is more important. When Harriet protested that Wyn made her happy, her mom argued that Wyn was the kind of man who wants to start a family and settle down, and she always pictured Harriet with someone ambitious.

Looking at family photos, Harriet explained to Wyn that she feels guilty that her parents sacrificed so much—spending money on tutors, clubs, co-signing her med school loans. She used to think that if she got straight A’s or won the science fair or did chores, she would make up for them losing their dreams and falling out of love. Wyn counters that her parents should never have made her feel as if they regretted having kids. Harriet asked Wyn to promise they’d end things before they stopped making each other happy, like her parents. Instead, Wyn promised to never stop loving her or making her happy.

In the present, on the boat ride home, Cleo asks what they’ll miss about Maine. Parth will miss their favorite coffee shop and the long, silent walks with Sabrina in the misty mornings. Kimmy will miss the yard sales, junk shops, and window seats overlooking the sea. Harriet will miss her friends being together and seeing them so happy. Cleo teases it needs to be for her, so Harriet chooses getting great sleep.

They play music and drink beers. Cleo and Kimmy dance, talking about marriage; though Cleo doesn’t like the idea, Kimmy wants a party for their love. Wyn reaches for Harriet’s hand to dance. At the boat’s helm, Sabrina talks about her parents’ marriage—a rare insight to her childhood. Her parents got married when she was four years old at a stunning chapel on the coast. After her father divorced her mom for a string of new wives, Sabrina became her mother’s confidante and support system. Parth puts his arms around her while the others dance.

Wyn would have married Harriet anywhere at any time, even on the day after he proposed, because if one knows they’re with the right person, why wait? Parth suggests a double wedding, but Wyn says that’s not what Harriet wants. She holds him closer.

At the cottage, Harriet goes to shower the sand off and change. While searching through her luggage for an outfit, she sees a phone light up. Assuming it’s her phone, she picks it up and reads a text from Gloria: “I know you’re scared, but you can’t keep putting this off. The longer you wait, the worse it will be. You have to tell her, Wynnie—” (256). Harriet is shocked: She is actually looking at Wyn’s phone. Harriet assumes Wyn is preparing Gloria for the idea of their breakup. She thinks he went to Montana to care for his mom but stayed for himself; that he’s happy there and ready to move on from their romance. She sobs and accepts that Wyn has moved on.

Another flashback shows Wyn’s descent into depression. Harriet and Wyn moved to San Francisco after NYC. Wyn welcomed her suggestion that they wait to get married until after she finished school. While Harriet adapted to her residency’s long hours, Wyn found their wedding venue: a renovated warehouse overlooking the bay. She agreed but didn’t have time to tour it. After putting down a deposit, they made little further progress on the wedding.

Wyn struggled to find a job. Harriet practiced fake interviews with him until he was hired at another bookstore, but it barely paid above minimum wage and couldn’t cover rent. Wyn got another part-time job doing upholstery to help their finances.

One morning, Harriet came home from a night shift to find Wyn sobbing at the table in his clothes from the day prior, his phone cracked. She rushed to him and he collapsed into her. His dad, Hank, was gone.

In the present, Harriet suggests giving Sabrina and Parth a proper wedding. Sabrina and Parth insist they don’t need anything fancy, but Harriet thinks a photographer and a cake are important. Cleo and the others agree, promising it will take only a few hours to prepare. Since Harriet thrives on helping others, she splits the tasks. Harriet and Wyn are on cake duty. When Harriet insists she needs Sabrina’s input, Sabrina disagrees, as if avoiding Harriet. Sabrina and Parth want to plan the bachelorette/bachelor party. Harriet and Wyn struggle to find a bakery that will make a wedding cake on short notice, so Wyn chooses a birthday cake.

On the car ride back, Wyn asks Harriet what’s wrong. She laughs at the audacity of this question—he broke up with her! He thought they were getting along as friends, but she yells that she doesn’t want to be his friend; he feels the same. Their anger turns into passion. After they kiss, she asks about the text from his mom. Wyn says it was about work; they can either argue or have sex. As badly as she wants him, Harriet asks about his work. Wyn shows her his website, where he sells wood-slab tables for thousands of dollars. He planned to go home and continue his dad’s furniture repair business, but he started high-end table making, designed a business model, took photographs, etc. Harriet is impressed and proud of him.

Wyn didn’t tell her about the business since he thought he’d fail. His many texts over the week have been to clients, and the coffee table book is set-dressing for his photo shoots. Gloria was nervous for him to tell Harriet about the business because she thought Wyn was about to move back to San Francisco to be with her.

A flashback continues describing Wyn’s mental health struggles. Wyn grew depressed after his father Hank died. Harriet tried to comfort him, but he hardly ate or slept. She insisted they postpone the wedding to give him time to heal. She feared the old Wyn wouldn’t return. With her hospital shifts, they hardly saw each other. Wyn cried into his pillow only when he thought she was asleep. She also cried in the shower to hide her pain, praying Wyn would stop hurting.

Harriet befriended fellow residents Taye, Grace, and Martin. Wyn met them, but they only talked about the hospital, leaving Wyn out, and Harriet didn’t know how to include him.

Soon, Wyn’s mom Gloria was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. When they visited her, Wyn lit up like his old self. Harriet suggested he stay with Gloria until Wyn and his sisters figured out long-term care. At first, Wyn and Harriet talked often, but their calls and video chats became sporadic, his visits short-lived.

Harriet went out with Martin one night when her other resident friends canceled. Martin walked her home and kissed her. She shoved him off, ran inside, and called Wyn to tell him about Martin’s actions. In response, he told Harriet that their relationship wasn’t working. He mailed her stuff back.