Chapter 18

Summary

• Sam despises the clinical atmosphere and the rule-bound interactions at the hospital waiting room.
• She distracts herself with mobile games, gym calls, and work emails while observing the family drama unfold.
• A man in a wheelchair, supported by his large and disruptive family, argues against being left alone during his procedure.
• The nurse enforces the hospital policy that requires patients to be alone to protect the immunocompromised, despite the family's protestations.
• Sam attempts to stabilize a water dispenser from being tipped over by a child, receiving unfriendly glares from the child's family members.
• When the man and his family are finally escorted out, Andrea appears, looking exhausted from her scan, and they exit together to the car park.
• During the drive, Sam comforts Andrea with a sense of optimism and helps her financially by giving her the remainder of her savings.
• Sam faces criticism at work from her boss, Simon, who implies that she's not performing well and may face termination.
• After a tense incident with Simon, Sam feels the strain of potentially losing her job and the impact it would have on her life.
• Joel, a colleague, reaches out with support, but Sam is wary of showing vulnerability or taking up offers for fear of further repercussions at work.
• Sam attempts to maintain composure at work, feeling the weight of her colleagues' awareness of her situation.
• She leaves work feeling demoralized and concerned about discussing the issue with her partner, Phil, due to his own struggles with depression.
• At home, Sam finds no solace as Phil is disengaged, prompting her to make a decision to change the trajectory of her evening.
• Sam dresses up, reinforcing her confidence, and meets Joel at a pub to escape the pressures of her day.
• During their conversation, Joel provides a comforting presence, and they bond over their respective experiences with relationships and work problems.
• Joel suggests that Sam should take up boxing as a way to regain her assertiveness and overcome her challenges at work.
• Tentatively considering Joel's suggestion, Sam agrees to join him at the gym for a boxing session, seeking to reclaim some control over her life.