What Alice Forgot

Mr. Mustache tells Frannie that he grew his mustache after his wife died, as his wife didn’t want him to have one. Frannie tells Mr. Mustache that she finds his mustache very unattractive, and he roars with laughter. Frannie tells him that her marriage to Phil never took place; he is sympathetic.

Alice wakes up, confused and disoriented, calling for Nick but soon remembers that Nick no longer lives with her. She breathes in the scent of the perfume that made her feel so overwhelmed at the hospital but still can’t remember anything. The party was a blur of sophisticated accents, talk of children Alice didn’t know, unfamiliar information about the school, and many unknown words like “Botox” and “Google.” Dominick stayed protectively close to Alice, and she was surprised that she instinctively knew how to socialize, even though she didn’t recognize anyone. People looked apologetic when Gina came up in conversation.

Alice goes to get hot milk and finds Elisabeth in the kitchen (Elisabeth stayed over). Alice tells Elisabeth that she has worked out, from the awkward way everyone talks about her in front of Alice, that Gina and Nick must have had an affair. Elisabeth says that this is not true as far as she knows, and that Gina is dead.

Elisabeth explains that Gina was crushed by a tree falling on her car; Alice witnessed this from the car behind her. Alice explains the panicked feelings she gets near the corner where the accident happened.

Elisabeth tells Alice about the girls: Madison is moody, feels things deeply, and enjoys cooking. Olivia is cute and charismatic. Elisabeth explains the custody dispute; Nick wants the children half of the time, but Alice—their primary caregiver—feels that he is incapable of fulfilling this with his demanding work schedule.

Alice asks about the alleged conversation she had with Ben, and Elisabeth tells her that Alice told Ben that they should stop trying IVF and consider adoption. Elisabeth was shocked that Ben agreed with Alice, because he had a traumatic experience with his own adoptive family. Elisabeth snaps at Alice that it’s too late for her to start taking an interest in her family, and Alice asks what has gone wrong between them.

Alice is nervous and excited to see Nick and the children. Dominick arrives, and Alice asks if she had told him why she and Nick split up. Awkwardly, Dominick says that Nick was away with work a lot, and that they had intimacy issues. Dominick hugs Alice, tells her that he cares about her, and leaves before Nick and the kids arrive.

Alice finds a computer and checks her email. She sees a few entitled “Mega Meringue Mother’s Day” and reads an angry email thread between herself and Nick discussing Christmas plans and his request for her to return Granny Love’s ring (her engagement ring). She is shocked by their hateful, bitter exchange.

Olivia runs in and hugs Alice. Alice greets Nick, who looks visibly older and is unfriendly toward her. Madison is furious that Alice didn’t buy ingredients for lasagna as promised. Tom is excited about a wave he caught at the beach. Alice pleads with Nick to stay for dinner.

Nick is awkward and stand-offish with Alice. Alice marvels at his “parent voice” when he tells Tom that he can wait to eat until dinner and urges the children to change out of their swimming costumes. Alice asks Nick why they are getting divorced; he is suspicious and angry and says that he is too exhausted to play games. She recounts memories—recent in her mind—of him swearing to work out any problems in their marriage. He asks if her memory has returned, and when she says no, he tells her that she shouldn’t have left the hospital.

Alice throws herself into Nick’s arms and begs him to fix the relationship. She asks questions about their life, trying to find common ground, but he holds her at arm’s length. Tom and Madison begin fighting with each other, and Nick suggests he should go. Panicked, Alice begs him to stay. Madison asks Alice why she keeps saying their names: “[Y]ou don’t remember us, do you?” (258).