Beauty
The person at work Elise spent “the most time with” was her colleague Zoey. You “don’t know Zoey,” but “you do,” for “every company, every school in the world has a Zoey.” She is the kind of girl who “attracts male attention like a porch light attracts moths.” She was “naturally beautiful, skinny without starving or Zumba,” “born with a body that designers design for.” She even looked good “without makeup.” “Even worse than being beautiful” was that she knew it. This imagery evokes a feeling of insecurity.
A visit
Elise could have died. It was a miracle that she had made it. After two days “in intensive care” and “massive doses of antibiotics” she had shown enough progress to be moved out of the ICU. Dan came to see her that afternoon “bearing a bouquet of spring flowers.” It was only “the second time” she had seen him since she was admitted, and, “in spite of his absence,” she was “glad to see him.” They had talked “for only about a half hour when he said he had to get back to work.” This imagery evokes a feeling of sadness. Elise feels abandoned and lonely.
Betrayed
Elise felt betrayed. Of course, she and Zoey were not even friends, but still it hurt. In spite of her promise to Nicholas, the next day at work she treated Zoey “coldly.” She was still “angry,” and “jealous,” which was “a perfect storm of emotion.” Even if Nicholas wasn’t really her, Zoey didn’t know that. She had “scored of men” and she went for Elise’s. She would never forgive her for “being so cruel.” This imagery helps to understand how angry Elise is. She can’t understand how Zoey could do that to her.
