Hello Stranger: A Novel

Two weeks before the portrait contest, Sadie still hasn’t found a way to overcome her limitations in painting faces. She conducts in-depth online research on techniques and tricks and plans to try them in her next session with Sue. Yet, each day that she wakes up, looks in the mirror, and sees a jumbled mess, her hope fades. Sadie takes Peanut for a walk but gets caught in the rain. When she enters the elevator soaking wet, Sadie notices Joe and Parker are there. Joe offers her his jacket, and she wraps Peanut in it. Parker becomes jealous and pretends to faint. Joe helps Parker to her apartment, and they disappear inside. Soaked and shivering, Sadie watches disgustingly as Parker works her manipulative plot. The deadbolt on Sadie’s door malfunctions, and she must call Mr. Kim for help, but he doesn’t answer. Joe emerges from Parker’s apartment after a long time. He invites Sadie to his apartment to dry off. While she takes a shower, he dries Peanut with the hair dryer and orders them food. Joe lends Sadie some of his clothes and says she looks “cozy” in the oversized shirt, sweats, and socks.