Liars: A Novel

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains depictions of suicidal ideation, emotional and physical abuse, sexual content, illness, mental illness, substance use, animal death, and gender discrimination.

The child falls at school and must go to the hospital. Jane can’t contact John; he is at a movie and has his phone off. She feels thankful for her life on Christmas Eve. Wildfires leave the area smokey, leading schools to close. John complains that he doesn’t like when Jane takes trips, although she travels only once a semester while he goes to Calgary twice a month. John discusses moving to Palo Alto, and Jane threatens to leave him and take the child. Jane worries she will never have time for herself. She has lunch with a friend who enjoys joint custody with her ex.

The cat’s health declines, and the vet says death is likely “imminent.” Jane researches euthanasia. John takes the cat to the hospital in the middle of the night, then brings her home despite having talked with Jane earlier about moving ahead with the euthanasia. Jane continues to nurse the ailing cat and schedules a euthanasia, which will take place on Jane’s birthday.