Finding Perfect

The narrative structure of these opening chapters establishes Daniel Wesley’s limited first-person perspective as the lens through which the novella’s central conflict unfolds. By giving the reader insight into Daniel’s consciousness, the author emphasizes his initial emotional shortsightedness. His internal monologue is dominated by adolescent concerns—boredom, video games, and the fear of a breakup—which contrast with the deeply complex unspoken trauma shaping his relationship with Six. The opening chapter characterizes Daniel as insensitive and careless through his interactions with Breckin. Breckin is Mormon and gay, and Daniel constantly pokes fun at him without realizing that his comments are hurtful. He notes Breckin’s “ridiculously” puffy jacket, and calls him “Powder Puff,” which Breckin points out is anti-gay. Daniel hears Breckin curse and laughingly responds “I thought Mormons couldn’t swear” (1). When Breckin expresses frustration with these kinds of comments, Daniel tells him, “I’ll never call you Powder Puff again if you stay and play one more game with me” (1). While it’s clear Daniel wants companionship in this moment, he doesn’t have the emotional maturity to be honest with his friend. Instead, he makes jokes, which he admits are annoying, and pushes his friend away. This is the pattern of avoidant insensitive behavior Daniel will have to overcome to break through the emotional turmoil in his relationship with Six.

Helming a story about such a weighty emotional subject with an immature, unprepared protagonist forces the reader to discover the gravity of the situation alongside Daniel, mirroring his own dawning awareness. This heightens the novella’s stakes because it quickly becomes clear that Six’s emotional wellbeing and ability to reconnect with her child lies in the hands of someone who is clueless about others’ emotions. The catalyst for Daniel’s awakening is his conversation with his older sister, Hannah, which functions as exposition and introduces the core theme of The Importance of Communication in Healing from Trauma. Hannah’s advice to ask Six questions shifts Daniel’s helpless anxiety to a proactive quest for understanding Six’s point of view. Talking to Hannah and Chunk also helps Daniel work through the emotional trauma he’s been avoiding. At the end of their conversation, he hugs his sisters, which is so uncharacteristic that their father suspects something suspicious is going on.

Until now, the couple’s relationship has been defined by avoidance of difficult topics, a tendency to “keep things fun and light because everything under the surface is so damn heavy” (15). This superficiality has created the emotional distance Daniel fears but doesn’t know how to overcome. Six finally articulates her trauma as, “It’s like someone took a huge chunk out of my chest and there are two parts of me now that don’t connect” (17). This reveals the pain that she’s suffered in isolation. Daniel’s commitment to listen validates her experience and breaks the cycle of avoidance, building a bridge for openness in the future. This dialogue is the foundational act of communication upon which all subsequent attempts at connection are built.

These chapters begin a significant evolution in protagonist Daniel, showing his growth from self-centeredness to empathy when he realizes Six is in distress. In New Adult literature, the main characters often undergo a coming-of-age journey from short-sighted immaturity to understanding the difficult choices adult relationships require. Initially, Daniel’s friends critique his reliance on juvenile humor, a perception that reveals his internal state; his primary motivation is to prevent his own heartbreak. After witnessing Six’s vulnerability, however, his focus shifts to her wellbeing. Daniel’s call with Ava is stripped of his usual defensive humor. He expresses a selfless love for Six, stating, “She cries, you know. Every night. It’s the not knowing that kills her” (29). To Graham, he says, “I just want her to be whole again” (41). These moments reveal his sense of emotional responsibility and willingness to shoulder an emotional burden for another person. His subsequent breakdown demonstrates a capacity for deep feeling that his earlier characterization did not suggest, showing that even this early in the story, he is progressing on his emotional journey.

Daniel isn’t the only one on an emotional journey. Six’s situation exemplifies The Invisible Pain of Motherhood. At the beginning of the novella, Six’s primary internal conflict is her fear that placing her son for adoption was a “scared choice” (18) rather than a brave one, motivated by self-protection rather than selfless concern for her child. This self-doubt reflects a common societal judgment placed on birth mothers, who are assumed to be irresponsible. Daniel helps her reframe her narrative. His assertion, “You didn’t give him up, Six […] You stood up,” (21) directly confronts the stigmatizing language surrounding adoption and showing her decision to be an act of strength and love. This validation is a critical step in her healing process, helping her to begin forgiving herself. Through their conversation, Daniel learns the details of Six’s pregnancy: her isolation of being in a foreign country without friends or family to confide in, her fear about the closed adoption process, the experience of giving birth, and the painful moment when her son was taken from her.

Learning the details of Six’s silent suffering crushes Daniel, who is experiencing his own complex emotions for the first time. The revelation lays the thematic groundwork for Redefining Family Beyond Biological Ties because Daniel becomes invested in helping Six become involved in the adoptive family’s life, extending society’s definitions of what constitutes a family. He also begins to learn from Graham Wells, who models being a mature, emotionally responsible, adult man, who cares about his partner and backs up his words with actions. Hannah notes that her and Daniel’s own father is immature, and it’s his fault that Daniel has turned out like he has. Through Graham, Daniel has a model for the kind of man and romantic partner he wants to be.

The motif of communication—specifically phone calls—emerges as the primary mechanism for transcending the legal and emotional barriers of the closed adoption. While the initial trauma was born from a lack of connection, the potential for healing is realized through proactive outreach. Daniel’s crucial conversations with Ava Roberts and then Graham are fraught with the tension of potential rejection, yet his earnest vulnerability successfully bridges the distance. This motif underscores the theme of communication by demonstrating its power to dismantle institutional obstacles. Ava, initially bound by legality, is moved by the authentic emotion in Daniel’s plea for Six. Similarly, Graham, a protective father, is persuaded by Daniel’s candid expression of love for Six, which mirrors Graham’s own devotion to his wife. These interactions suggest that human connection and empathy can override the rigid legal structures designed to keep people apart. They also foreshadow the life-changing email from Quinn Wells the couple receives in Chapter 5.