The story is narrated by an unnamed woman who has just turned 45. Though her exact profession is not disclosed, she hints at being somewhat of a public figure. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent that, like july, she is involved in mixed-media work such as filmmaking and writing, enjoying a dedicated, though niche, fan base. She isn’t widely known and avoids detailing her career but has found consistent success from a young age.
She resides in LA with her husband, jed, and their seven-year-old child, sam, who is referred to as ‘they/them’ and is identified as trans-feminine. Her marriage lacks passion and has become formal and stilted. They have separate bedrooms and scheduled sex, which she dreads beforehand but ends up enjoying, only to dread it again. She struggles with insomnia and has developed a mild addiction to Benadryl to cope. To maintain her wellbeing, she meticulously plans, prepares meals, cleans, and updates the family planner with social events.
The story begins with the narrator pondering a note from an FBI-employed neighbor, who informs her that someone was spotted taking a photo of her house with a telephoto lens. Instead of fear, the thought of being watched excites her. The neighbor offers to get the car’s license plate checked, but she predicts she will have solved the mystery by then.
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