Such a Fun Age

Back in the present day, Alix discovers that Spoons the fish has died, and she decides to ask Emira to get a new goldfish before Briar notices. Emira hesitates on the phone, because she will be late for Briar’s ballet class if she goes to the pet store, but agrees to do it anyways. Emira shows up with a fish that looks different than Spoons, but Briar doesn’t notice. Alix wonders why Emira seemed disappointed about the ballet class, thinking that it’s a tortuous experience. When Alix snoops a little later, she sees a text from the mysterious man Emira is dating that refers to the ballet class experience, and then Alix notices the black cat ears that Emira had bought and brought with her since it was a Halloween celebration.

As Alix prepares for Laney, Peter’s co-anchor, to come over for dinner with her husband, Alix realizes that Laney “wasn’t that bad” (119). Laney’s daughter, Bella, and Briar go upstairs to play. Before sending Emira home, Alix tries to apologize for her “and Bri missing ballet today” (121) but Emira brushes it off. Alix tries to make more small talk about what Emira’s doing that night; Emira asks if the envelope of cash in Alix’s pocket is her pay, leaving shortly after receiving it.

When Emira arrives to Shaunie’s apartment for a girls’ night, she is surprised by some big news: Shaunie has gotten a job as “the newest associate marketing specialist at Sony Philadelphia” (123). Emira tries to be happy for Shaunie as she gets a drink; the girls decide they are going out for the night to celebrate. Emira doesn’t want to go, feeling both broke and jealous. She resigns herself to attend and borrows an outfit from Josefa. As she changes, she wonders why she is feeling annoyed with Mrs. Chamberlain, landing on the conclusion that she “had witnessed Mrs. Chamberlain being an outstanding mother, and was realizing that when she wasn’t being one, it was by choice rather than default” (127).

When Zara intrudes on Emira’s private changing time in the bathroom, Emira confides in her, explaining that she had a hard day. Zara tells her to get it together and support her friend. They take a shot as a group. Shaunie explains that she’s going to move out of this apartment, and she’d be happy to help Emira get the empty room. As Shaunie tries to take a sexy photo to send her boyfriend, Emira takes a call from Kelley, who tells her she can go stay in his bed that night even though he’s still away at a conference.