The Last Anniversary

Sophie meets up with her parents for their monthly “third Thursday” restaurant adventure. Sophie reflects that her high expectations for romance can be partly attributed to her parents’ successful marriage. Their names are Hans and Gretel, and they met as teenagers while ice-skating. Gretel loves to tell the story of their first meeting and how she made sure to look at her watch to remember the time and date that she met her future husband. Sophie is an only child and wishes her parents had more children. She and her parents are exceptionally close, and their relationship often attracts jealousy or admiration from people who cannot believe that she gets along with them so well. Sophie’s parents do not pressure her to give them a grandchild, which she appreciates.

Sophie shares Connie’s letter with her parents. The letter reveals that Connie chose to leave Sophie her house because of Sophie’s capacity for joy. Even though Sophie broke up with Connie’s nephew, Connie was struck by Sophie’s personality and thought she could improve the island. She also notes that there is a man whom Sophie would meet if she moved into the house and expresses that she sees romantic potential for the two of them.