Luster

Edie wakes up the next morning and reconsiders her agreement to end her relationship with Eric. Akila appears in her room and states that she knows about Edie’s relationship with her father. Throughout the day, Edie navigates her new environment awkwardly. After seeing that her student loan payment has left her with only $30, Edie attempts to pick up some orders for delivery. She delivers an order to a famous local dermatologist named Dr. Havermans, who offers her $300 to “crush tomatoes and raw eggs with my feet while he listens to Arvo Pärt” (110). She acquiesces and takes a train to her storage locker to grab a few of her belongings.

Upon returning to Rebecca and Eric’s house, Edie observes Akila struggling to do her hair. She offers a suggestion before Akila shuts the door. Edie returns to the guest room and attempts to begin a self-portrait. Rebecca appears and asks Edie to help her change the sheets on her and Eric’s bed. After Edie confronts her, Rebecca admits that she has yet to tell Eric, who is away on a business trip, that Edie is now living at their house.