To Night Owl From Dogfish

Bett emails Marlow to say that she and Avery both feel that the night they spent with Kristina was one of the best of their lives. Kristina wants to write about it. Gaga is on her way to pick Bett up, but Bett asks if Marlow can call Director Daniel and say she can go to Seelocken instead.

Gaga planned on taking Bett right to the airport, but Bett wants to go to Seelocken and annoys Gaga until she gives in. Gaga is ultimately glad she did. One of the actresses in Kristina’s play gets sick, and Gaga stands in for her, having a great time. She wishes her late husband (Marlow’s father) could see her now.

Sam is furious at Kristina for getting the girls kicked out of camp. Bett, however, feels like she is learning more in Seelocken than at CIGI.

Sam says Gaga was wrong to share the potential engagement with the girls. He and Marlow are trying to get their passports replaced so they can come home early.

Some of the campers from CIGI email Bett and Avery, saying they wish they hadn’t been expelled and asking how they are doing. Bett replies that they are together in Seelocken, and although they miss the campers, they’re happy where they are: Seelocken is entirely focused on the play, which the girls are not in, so they get to do whatever they want, including drive a golf cart.

Gaga is the star of the residency: Everyone loves her, and Kristina keeps adding more lines to Gaga’s part because she’s so good. Gaga loves spending time with Bett and Avery, the latter of whom she views as her future granddaughter. Gaga is glad Sam and Marlow went on the trip to China, as it led to her meeting Avery and Kristina and spending time in Seelocken.

Kristina, Gaga, and Bett are all bad at keeping secrets. Thus, through that grapevine, Avery learns more details about her “origin story.” Kristina and Sam were best friends throughout college while Sam was discovering his orientation. They spent one night together and Kristina got pregnant. Kristina’s mother, Susan, agreed to help raise Avery in the early years so Kristina could go to London, where she had gotten a job at a theater company. Sam was “freaked out” and enrolled in an architecture graduate program in New York. However, when Avery was two, Susan died suddenly from a stroke. At the funeral, Sam reunited with Kristina, who “fell apart,” so Sam decided to be more involved in parenting. He drove both Kristina and Avery back with him to New York, although they didn’t have a plan.

Soon, Kristina had to return to London, but Avery had an ear infection and the doctor said she shouldn’t fly. Kristina went alone, thinking she’d be back in three weeks, but she broke her ankle and needed surgery, forcing her to stay in London for four more months. By the time Kristina returned, Avery didn’t even remember who she was. She took Avery to the park, where a dog bit her. This convinced Kristina she was a horrible mother. Kristina and Sam went to a therapist, who suggested giving Sam sole custody because traveling back and forth from London would confuse Avery. Although Kristina agreed to give Sam custody at the time, she now feels this was the biggest mistake of her life, and it broke her heart.

Kristina’s new play (in which Gaga is acting) is accepted for an off-Broadway run in New York in the spring.

Avery emails Judge Evan Balakian, her friend Ariel’s dad, asking if he would officiate the wedding of Sam and Marlow, “now that the Supreme Court’s decision on gay marriage has made the world more fair” (126). Avery has taken on this task without Sam’s knowledge, knowing he is busy.

Gaga, Kristina, and the girls are all about to leave for New York to prepare for the play: Gaga and Kristina need to find rental apartments, and Gaga is going to meet with an agent. Then, Sam and Marlow get temporary passports, throwing these plans into upheaval. Sam expects Avery to be in New York, but Marlow wants Gaga and Bett back in California when he arrives the following day. Gaga agrees because her play contract includes a free plane trip for her and a guest.

Bett thinks that even if Sam and Marlow had a difficult vacation, they’ll probably be happy when they see how well the girls get along. She fantasizes about moving to New York or Oklahoma (halfway) with her new family. Bett signs off as “Dogfish Devlin-Bloom.”

Avery explains to Bett that Sam told her that he and Marlow have decided to end their romantic relationship: They are very different and couldn’t get along on what proved to be a stressful trip. Avery can’t stop crying. Sam said Marlow was going to tell Bett at the same time. Sam thought Avery would be okay with the breakup, but he doesn’t understand about Avery and Bett. This makes Avery even sadder. Avery calls Kristina, who says Sam is in pain and not thinking clearly. Avery asks if this means they won’t get to know what it’s like to be together as a family. Nothing was missing from her life before, but now Bett will be.

Judge Balakian replies to Avery’s email, saying he would be honored to marry Avery’s father and his new partner. He’ll waive his fee for them but is wondering if Sam can look over some blueprints for the Balakian weekend house.

Bett and Avery’s email exchange continues. Marlow’s flight was delayed, but he confirmed the breakup when he arrived. He then cried and let Gaga drive home from the airport, something he normally would not allow. Bett points out that since she and Avery are different but still get along, their fathers might be the same way. She laments that she never even got to meet Sam.

Bett emails Kristina, lamenting Sam and Marlow’s breakup. Gaga says all their lives got bigger because of Marlow and Sam’s love, which Bett agrees with. Not only has she bonded with Avery, but she has bonded with Kristina as well. Additionally, Gaga has grown close to Avery and Kristina and spent extra time with Bett. Bett hopes she and Kristina can stay friends, even if they’re not going to be a family. Kristina confirms that she wants Bett in her life and signs off with “Love from the mother of your chosen sister, which makes you another daughter of mine” (142).

Avery emails Kristina and Bett. She doesn’t see how they can all still be a family. Sam doesn’t even want Avery to talk to Kristina. Avery says that they had a fun summer, but if Kristina wants to be a real parent, she’s going to have to work harder at things like helping Avery study and being emotionally supportive. She asks Kristina if she is willing to do this and if she can visit Avery in New York.

Sam and Marlow exchange emails, arguing about the girls’ continued friendship. Sam feels that their continued bond and communication is unhealthy, whereas Marlow thinks it makes sense given the circumstances and doesn’t want to interfere. The two men agree not to speak to each other anymore, however. Meanwhile, the girls communicate daily despite Sam’s wishes.

Gaga returns to New York for the play. Bett and Marlow plan to visit New York for the play’s opening in March.

Kristina and Sam fight with each other, and Kristina hires lawyers to help her obtain shared custody of Avery.