Talking at Night: A Novel

Rosie returns to Simon and their apartment, where he tells her he has Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The diagnosis has clarified for Simon that they made a mistake in separating, and no matter what has happened while they’ve been apart, he wants them to try again. Rosie feels a sense of duty to stay and leaves Will a voicemail explaining everything. Marley visits them with her two children and gives her physician’s opinion on Simon’s diagnosis and hopeful prognosis. When they're alone, Rosie confesses to Marley about her time with Will. Marley isn’t surprised but feels worried about Rosie’s happiness if she gets back together with Simon. As always, Rosie assures her friend she is okay. Later, Marley calls Will, and though he doesn’t want to talk to her, Marley explains that Rosie staying with Simon reflects her inability to go against her internal set of rules. Will visits Rosie and Simon’s apartment and apologizes to her for not visiting sooner. He says he’s trying to be a “better human” and wants to be their friend. They eat cereal together in the kitchen like when they were younger, and Rosie touches his hand.

Rosie’s mom calls her, saddened by the distance between them. Rosie explains that her mother’s words were hurtful when Rosie needed advice about the divorce. She reveals that she quit her job, now teaches music and that Will is their friend and helping during Simon’s treatment. She can tell that her mom is disappointed in her. While walking home, Rosie catches herself doing a ritualistic tap. Though she once attended therapy, she feels it didn’t help much. As she grew up, the OCD faded, but Simon’s illness has caused it to return.

Simon is sick after his first round of chemo, and Rosie doesn’t want to leave him alone while she’s at work, so she calls Will, who agrees to stay with him during the day. While initially awkward, Will sees how weak Simon is and empathizes with him. Will makes them lunch, and they play cards together. Though Simon doesn’t know about Will and Rosie, he can tell that Will still doesn’t like him and asks him to be honest about his feelings. Will explains that he sees Simon as “smug” and privileged and that Rosie is stifled creatively with him. Will’s harsh words are refreshing to Simon as he says no one has ever been honest with him, especially now that he’s sick. Will takes Simon to one of his chemo appointments, and while he’s getting his treatment, Simon tells Will that he’s his closest friend. Will shares that he’s on antidepressants and that he would like to travel more. On the way home, Will calls Amber after not speaking to her since the funeral. He confesses to Amber that he’s anxious about the future and lacks plans for the first time. Amber tells him he knows his “anchor” and always has.

Simon’s treatment is successful, and the doctor declares him cancer-free, though he must finish his chemotherapy to prevent relapse. Simon requests a celebratory dinner and asks Will to join them. He also asks Rosie to go on a second honeymoon. At dinner, while they wait for Will to arrive, Simon says he wishes Will would find a partner so he wouldn’t feel awkward with them. The comment irritates Rosie, and she asks him why Will needs a partner to be happy. Simon notices her tone and asks if she and Will have feelings for each other. Rosie doesn’t answer, but Simon has all the evidence he needs. Will arrives, and Simon insists on getting the truth out despite Rosie begging him to leave it alone. Rosie leaves, and Will and Simon remain, awkwardly finishing the fancy meal together. Will explains that he and Rosie have been together both in the past and recently, though he doesn’t specify when. As they talk, Will sees that Rosie chose Simon because he reminds her of Josh. Will tells Simon that he didn’t pay enough attention to how wounded Rosie is from Josh’s death. He leaves Simon without apologizing for anything.

Will runs to find Rosie on the bridge. He explains that he told Simon the truth. Rosie is confused about how to proceed in life. She feels obligated to be with Simon because she has taken a vow but feels unhappy with him. She tells Will she’s broken, “half a person” (358). Will assures her that she is exactly who she needs to be but must stop letting others tell her what is right and how she should act. Though he wants to kiss her and absorb her into his body, Will decides to let Rosie go. He tells her she must figure out what she wants and that it’s best if they go their separate ways.

Rosie and Simon divorce and she moves to Vienna. She plays piano, sings at a club, and sometimes brings a man home. One night, a woman approaches her after her performance and tells her that she attends the music school and is writing her thesis on the last piece Rosie plays. This sparks something in Rosie, and she realizes she wants to attend the music school in Vienna.

Will and Amber sell Gran’s house, but he stays in Norwich and opens his mechanic shop. He maintains his sobriety and sometimes attends meetings when he feels the need. He replaces running with morning swims and competes in his first marathon. He doesn’t pursue new sexual partners, having lost the desire after Rosie left. Amber visits him, but in between visits, they don’t talk often, and Will spends most of his days alone. He thinks of Rosie fondly and wishes for her happiness. Though he takes his antidepressants, Will still fights depression. Through work and exercise, he stays mentally healthy.

His birthday arrives, and he doesn’t celebrate, only thinks of Josh. Will goes to the shore to smoke and reflect, and Rosie rings his phone. She tells him about Vienna and her songwriting and says there’s a lighthouse there that she loves. Will walks to their lighthouse and finds Rosie there. She says she loves Vienna and earned acceptance to the music school but she’s decided not to take it because Will isn’t there. She realizes that she’s wasted too much time searching for the right kind of life, and the only life she truly wants one with him. Will listens, doesn’t respond, guarding his heart as he’s worked hard to heal the loss of her. Rosie worries that she doesn’t deserve him and asks what happens now. Will says, “What do you think” as he watches migrating geese, uncertain if they’re arriving or leaving (387).