Intermezzo

Peter updates Sylvia about Naomi’s living situation, is relieved to feel that things between him and Sylvia have returned to normal, and asks to meet up soon.

Peter thinks about how his father’s immigrant background influenced his upbringing. Many of Peter’s friends had rich parents, which put him at a remove as he felt culturally literate. Peter doesn’t aspire to be rich, but to be validated.

Peter goes home and listens to Naomi. Naomi once stayed with another man before, but their relationship was abusive, prompting her to escape. Peter worries that Naomi might describe him the same way one day. Peter tells her about his dinner with Ivan. Naomi laughs at the shock that Peter feels about Ivan and Margaret’s age gap.

On his way to lunch with Sylvia, Peter contemplates his differences with Ivan and imagines how Ivan’s girlfriend might have seduced him. Sylvia suggests that Ivan is mature enough to make his own decisions and that Peter refuses to accept Ivan’s interpersonal skills. She encourages Peter to reconcile with Ivan and criticizes Peter for his hypocrisy, pointing out the age gap between him and Naomi.

On his way home, Peter texts Ivan to apologize. For several weeks, Ivan fails to see the text.