Hello Stranger: A Novel

Sadie resolves to use her art as a coping mechanism and tries to fix her brain by painting as many faces as possible. However, she can’t know if they’re “right” or not. Peanut falls ill and won’t eat or move. Sadie rushes him to the vet, and Dr. Oliver Addison examines Peanut. When she sees the dashing doctor, she is embarrassed to realize she came in her pajamas and slippers. He notes that his gums are pale and should be pink. Blood work reveals that Peanut has immune-mediated hemolytic anemia and will require a blood transfusion to survive. Sadie pleads with Dr. Addison to save Peanut as she can’t live without him. Dr. Addison gives Peanut a good chance of survival with the proper treatment, but he must remain at the vet. When Sadie returns to her building, she sees Mr. Kim. He knows she lives in the loft and does not use it as a studio. He can’t rent the space but gives it to her for free.