In the present day, Claire has an online conversation with a "listener," who is like a therapist. She is discussing a recent event she is sorry she went to. Before she went, she was nervous. Once there, she was among thousands of people attending. She wonders if she set herself up for disappointment, but knows she wanted to feel like she was doing something about an undisclosed problem. She signs off quickly, then reopens her computer to rate and pay her listener. Claire recalls more details from the event as she rewatches a tribute video to someone's life online. This was in a new building; she recalls visiting the older building three years ago, though she has not yet revealed what this older building was. She had hoped that something would happen at the event, as many people will be there, though what she hopes for is unclear.

Thinking back to a conversation with her mother, Claire remembers how upset she was. Her mother had realized that Claire was likely to want more; later, it is revealed that this is finding her birth parents. Her mother tells her that she understands: Dad and I can't be everything to you" (239).