23. March 27, 2021

Summary

• Barbara, after a bike ride, arrives at the old poet's Victorian home where she finds Marie and Olivia, who appear troubled.
• Olivia feels the need to apologize to Barbara, admitting to an action she took without Barbara's permission and describing it as "unconscionable."
• Marie admits she encouraged Olivia's action and even assisted by taking the envelope to Federal Express.
• Olivia reveals that she has submitted Barbara's poetry for the Penley Prize for Younger Poets, sponsored by the Big Five publishers in New York.
• Barbara, initially unaware of the Penley Prize, learns that her poetry has been longlisted as a finalist for the award.
• Despite her surprise, Barbara reacts with excitement rather than anger to the news she has been longlisted for the prestigious award.
• Olivia insists on keeping the submission secret from Barbara's brother Jerome, who is also a writer working on a book about their great-grandfather.
• Olivia emphasizes how significant the prize could be, offering a cash reward, publishing opportunities, and a potential boost to Barbara's poetic career.
• Barbara learns that she must submit a more extensive collection of poems by April 15th for further consideration in the competition.
• Despite the high-handed way in which Olivia and Marie handled the submission, Barbara is grateful and decides to proceed with Olivia's help in selecting poems for the next submission round.
• Barbara cares deeply about not overshadowing her brother and decides to wait on publicizing this accomplishment until Jerome's work gets recognized.
• Barbara, Marie, and Olivia toast with Foster’s Lager to their continued friendship and Barbara's success, despite it being a secret from Olivia's doctor.
• Olivia instructs Barbara to expand her reading to include prose from authors like James Dickey and Cormac McCarthy.
• They end the gathering with a discussion about the departed Jorge Castro and his impact on their community, followed by a toast to the present good times.