Introduction

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Excerpt

16

I was in the office the next day, staring at my engagement ring, when the phone rang. I picked up. It was Michael.
"hi, Michael," I said.
hearing his name, Betty pointed to her open mouth to indicate she
was going to lunch and, grabbing her coat and bag, made for the door.
"hi," he said. "We haven't spoken in a while."
"Yeah, I know." hearing his voice, I felt my anger come up. "I had
lunch with Anna yesterday."
"I want to talk to you about that—"
"I don't get it. how could you move so fast after what happened
between us?"
"It makes the situation more equal," he said. "Don't you see? You have someone to fall back on, and I have someone to fall back on. More of a
square and less of a triangle."
"And that's why you and Anna are talking about starting a family
together?"
"Can we have dinner? I'll explain everything in person. Why don't
you come over after work?"
"Why should I?" I said, though of course I wanted to see him.
"We need to talk and then—spend the night with me," he said, his
voice dropping. "tonight."

164 the Geometry of Love

"You sure?" Warmth flooded up between my thighs and into my belly.
"We should have one night together, just a single night, don't you
think? Isn't that what you want? I've thought it through, and I think that's
what we should do."
I sat there, holding the phone to my cheek as though it were his face. "You think we can stop after one night?" I asked.
"Yes, if we agree to it beforehand—if we swear to it. It's the only way
not to get hurt."
"You're crazy," I said.
"What time will you be here?"
"Around five thirty," I said.
"okay," he said. "See you then." And we hung up.
A couple of hours later, as the energetic bus driver hurtled the rush-
hour crowd across Central Park, I stood gripping the ceiling handle and swaying back and forth. With each curve in the road, I collided with the handsome, suited businessman next to me.
"Sorry," my neighbor said. he had, on the last curve, swung into my breast. I didn't mind. Maybe he worked for a Madison Avenue advertising firm and lived in a palatial prewar apartment with a balcony and a view of Central Park. ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. Julia works in finance and accounting. In her life, she weighs and measures—wealth, health, love, additions to the family. Discuss.

2. Is Julia’s ambivalence about children related to her relationship with her mother or her relationship with Ben?
3.Ben is an academic, but he is a writer, too. In what way does Julia react to his writing? Why does she react differently to Michael's composing?

4. As a middle-aged woman, Julia changes her life. What do you think most inspires her final decision? How is her decision-making process different at mid-life than it was in her early 30s?

5. How is family portrayed in this novel?

p.s. There is a downloadable pdf for book clubs on the contact page of my website.

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