Such a Fun Age: Chapter 11 Summary & Analysis

Alix is still eight pounds above her pre-baby weight, she and Peter haven’t had sex in nearly three weeks, and she’s made no progress on her book. None of this matters, though, because Rachel, Jodi, and Tamra are coming to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving. And then Alix will return to New York with them for five days—the Clinton campaign has invited her to attend a women’s event in Manhattan.

Alix has just returned home from running errands for Thanksgiving. It’s snowing heavily outside. As Alix removes her coat in the front vestibule, she sees Emira’s phone light up with a notification about a flight cancellation.

Things have been weird between Alix and Emira ever since the fish incident. Last Friday, Emira turned down Alix’s offer of a glass of wine. Emira’s coldness is driving Alix crazy, and she can’t stop thinking about her. Lately, she’s been feeling more self-conscious about her lifestyle. She’s started to pretend that she’s eating leftovers for dinner when Emira is around—only to go right to the computer to order sushi for takeout the minute Emira leaves.

Alix tries to stalk Emira on social media, even though she knows Emira doesn’t have any accounts. She tells herself that she’s doing this for her children’s safety.  Alix looks through her own feed and wonders how Emira would judge it. She knows that Emira sees her as a stereotypical rich white lady, but she also knows that Emira would see that this just isn’t true, if she only gave Alix a chance. For instance, Emira might change her mind about Alix if she knew that one of Alix’s closest friends is Black, or if she knew Alix has read everything by Toni Morrison. But, if everything goes according to plan, Emira will discover these things tomorrow.

Emira stands behind Briar at the window. As they watch the storm, Emira tells Alix how crazy it was for her to brave the winter conditions to run errands. Alix agrees. Then she suggests that Emira check the status of her flight—there’s a possibility it’s been canceled due to weather. Alix wonders if it’s cruel of her to act like she doesn’t know that Emira’s flight has been cancelled, but she’s too excited by the prospect of Emira joining them for Thanksgiving to care; finally, she’ll have a chance to make Emira part of their family—to show her that she hasn’t forgotten about that awful night at Market Depot. Emira checks her phone and sees that her flight’s been cancelled. Alix feigns shock and disappointment. Emira goes upstairs to call her parents, who bought her the ticket. 

Emira returns to the kitchen and tells Alix that there aren’t any flights until after Thanksgiving. Alix tells Emira that she’s more than welcome to join the Chamberlains for Thanksgiving. Emira tries to decline, explaining that she can spend Thanksgiving with her boyfriend, since his flight was also cancelled. But Alix insists that he can join, too. Alix tells Emira to come at 4:00 on Thursday—and that she’ll be there as a guest, not the sitter. Emira is reluctant, but Briar’s pleading wins her over. She texts Kelley to see what he thinks. He responds almost instantly to tell Emira that he’d love to join her.   

Alix is overjoyed. Emira turns to Catherine and asks if it’s okay if she joins them for Thanksgiving. Catherine smiles and says, “Hi,” which shocks Emira and Alix. Alix starts to cry. Then she tells Emira to go home early today. Emira protests, but Alix insists. Inwardly, Alix fears that if Emira stays any longer, Alix will say something stupid, like “I love you.” So instead, Alix sends Emira home with a bag of frozen tortellini, some canned soups, a package of animal cookies, and a bottle of wine for the road—it’s better than anything Emira will find at the scant grocery stores now, Alix explains. Emira thanks her and awkwardly tells Alix that she’ll see her on Thanksgiving.