The Conditions of Will

The companions arrive at Alexis’s home. A handsome man opens the door. When they explain who they are and that they’re searching for Alexis, he lets them in. He tells them his name is Henri and says he knew Will from college. Studying Henri’s face and home, Georgia has a revelation and asks to speak to Alexis alone. One-on-one, she learns that Henri is from Saint-Émilion in France—which is what Will had named his boat. She also learns that he’s had botox and has a vast poetry collection in his library.

Georgia rejoins Sam and her brothers outside, announcing that Henri is actually Alexis and she believes he and Will were having an affair.

The companions go out together to discuss Georgia’s hypothesis. Oliver is especially upset in light of how Will treated him for being gay. Tennyson is upset, too, insisting that because he never really knew Will, he doesn’t know himself either. Georgia argues that his life is still his own, but that Will made Margaret live a lie. An argument ensues. Georgia dismisses herself to the bathroom; Sam follows. They start kissing and having sex when suddenly Oliver bursts in. Furious, he races out.

Oliver takes the keys and flees the restaurant in the car. Sam, Tennyson, and Georgia soon find Oliver drinking at a bar nearby. They try talking him down, but a drunk Oliver insults Georgia. Tennyson confronts Georgia for being insensitive by having sex with Sam at a vulnerable moment for Oliver. Georgia argues that because of Will she’s never learned how to have healthy sexual relationships or to cope with her emotions. Sam tries talking to Georgia, too, but she pushes him away, convinced they can’t be together.

That night, Sam confronts Georgia about what happened. She insists they have to break up because of Oliver. Sam professes his love to Georgia, insisting he’s not letting her go. Georgia gives in, admitting she’s in love with Sam, too. They hug and kiss although they don’t know what will happen to their relationship next.

Georgia, Sam, Oliver, and Tennyson reconvene in the morning. Everyone tries checking in with Oliver, but he continues pushing Georgia away and insulting her. Finally, she and Sam admit that they’re not just having sex but are dating and in love. Oliver argues that Georgia is just manipulating Sam. A longer argument ensues. The group suggests that Oliver stay behind when they return to Alexis’s.

Georgia, Sam, and Tennyson decide that Oliver and Sam will return to Okatie while Tennyson and Georgia stay in New Orleans to resolve the Alexis mystery. Georgia is sad to part with Sam and worried about Oliver, but Sam promises to look out for him.

Georgia and Tennyson meet up with Alexis again after Sam and Oliver leave. Alexis admits that he and Will were indeed lovers. They met in college and had a secret relationship. Alexis studied poetry and Will always loved art but felt pressured into economics by his dad. He also felt pressured to be with his then-girlfriend Margaret, as Brick had anti-gay biases. It was painful for Alexis, but he never pressured Will. Over the years following Will and Margaret’s marriage, Will and Alexis saw each other two or three times a month, as Will often traveled for work. Will also paid for Alexis’s daughter Maya’s rent when she was struggling financially; the two developed a close bond. Alexis insists that Will was also proud of Georgia. Georgia argues this point, revealing that he sent her away after Beckett raped her. Alexis apologizes on Will’s behalf, insisting Will didn’t know the truth. He thought England would be better for her and was afraid of Georgia’s tenacity. Before the siblings leave, Alexis offers to be there for them if they need anything else.

In the car, Georgia and Tennyson admit that they like Alexis. Then they discuss whether or not they should tell Margaret the truth. Tennyson thinks she deserves to know, but Georgia thinks it will be too painful for her.

When Georgia and Tennyson return home, they find Maryanne and Oliver drinking on the porch. They both insult Georgia as soon as they see her. Georgia gets upset with Maryanne for enabling Oliver and at Oliver for siding with Maryanne. Then Margaret appears. Georgia and Tennyson say they’re still figuring out what Will was doing in New Orleans; they haven’t agreed about whether to tell Margaret.

Later, Sam finds Georgia to see if she’s okay. He doesn’t like how her family is treating her. She urges him to let it go.

That night, Georgia, Tennyson, and Oliver tell Violet about meeting Alexis. Violet admits that she knew about Alexis and that Will was interested in men. She never said anything, because she was trying to protect her brother. The group agrees not to tell Margaret the truth and concoct a story about Alexis being a close college friend to whom Will felt indebted after he saved him from drowning.

Over dinner, the siblings tell Margaret and Maryanne their story about Alexis. Margaret is surprised Will never told her but accepts the lie. Then Oliver gets upset and tells Savannah that Tennyson cheated on her. Georgia bursts in, revealing the truth. Furious, Oliver accuses Georgia of betraying him when she knew he liked Sam. He goes on a tirade about how horrible Georgia is. Even if Beckett did rape her, he insists, she’s still sexually promiscuous and disloyal. Tennyson tries defending her. Finally, Violet and Sam usher Georgia out. Violet invites them to spend the night.

The next day, the family returns to the lawyer’s office to hear the rest of the will. Maryanne gets a yacht and Oliver receives the remaining $16 million in Will’s personal account “with the condition that he must be sober for five hundred and forty-eight days to access the funds” (435). Everyone is stunned into silence. Georgia’s mind races. She wonders if Will was a better man than she thought.

Georgia and Sam take a drive so they can talk before reconvening with the family for lunch. While out, Maryanne and Jason try getting on Oliver’s good side so he’ll share the money with them. Georgia and Sam remind Oliver that he can do what he wants with his inheritance, but that he has to get sober. Oliver isn’t interested in Georgia’s opinions. Finally, Sam interjects, informing Oliver he can’t be his sponsor anymore because he’s choosing Georgia over him. Oliver is heartbroken. Sam insists he still loves Oliver but that he needs more help. Outside the restaurant later, Margaret pulls Georgia aside to ask if Alexis is a nice man. Georgia admits that he is, wondering if Margaret knows the truth after all.

Georgia and Sam fly back to London together. Hattie is immediately enamored with Sam. Over the following weeks, he settles into life at their apartment. Meanwhile, Georgia texts Alexis and gradually processes her relationships with Will and Oliver. One night, Georgia asks Sam if he’s sure about staying in London. He assures her this is what he wants.

Over the next six months, Georgia and Sam create a life together in London. Then on Georgia’s birthday, Tennyson, Savannah, Oliver, and Alexis arrive as a surprise. Sam has planned a getaway to Paris for everyone. Georgia thanks Sam for being such a good boyfriend, and they kiss.