Rock Paper Scissors

Robin’s eighth anniversary letter discusses her grave doubts about Adam’s career path—which she thinks isn’t focused on Adam’s best interests but Henry’s—and about the viability of their marriage. She comments:

I know I do know that the lies we tell ourselves are always the most dangerous. And I know that sometimes the thoughts we hide in the margins of our mind are the most honest, because they are ours alone, and we think nobody else will see them. While you’ve been thinking about Henry Winter and his books, I’ve been thinking about leaving you (212).

Her greatest complaint is that Adam invited Henry to their house without asking her. Robin packed a bag and escaped to the home of her work friend, whom she characterized as “kind, and caring, and genuinely interested in me” (212). That friend was Amelia, who was plotting to steal her husband, home, and life.

She discusses her relationship with Adam and how they decided to play a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide whether to stay together.

Finding that all four tires on Amelia’s car are flat, Adam storms back up to Henry’s study, followed by Amelia. The two accuse each other of being part of whatever plot they’re experiencing.