Chapter Eight
It has been proven, time and again, that we seek out the confines of roles, definitions, and labels within a larger societal construct.
–Dr. Abigail Rosen, The F Word: Femininity in the New Century
Mitch went over to Carol’s for dinner, for dessert, or just to watch TV with the boys. When Brian was there, it taxed Mitch not to lay into him. He and Carol pretended like neither knew anything when both knew everything, or maybe he was deluding himself that Carol didn’t have him pegged this time.
During these weeks of pretending to be nice while quizzing Gordo on multiplication tables or sipping coffee with a slice of cheesecake in the kitchen, Mitch plotted retribution against Brian, most variations of which revolved around a small collection of novelty items she kept in the
