The Choice

The chapter commences with Travis and his friend Matt engaged in the installation of a hot tub on a Saturday. After the installation, the group expands to include Laird and Joe, along with their respective families. The children revel in the hot tub, prompting Travis to reflect on the unpredictable nature of life. He contemplates the enduring bond he shares with his friends, forged through various life stages, such as college. He states that life’s trajectory is uncertain, acknowledging the potential for outcomes like death, divorce, or addiction. A lighthearted teasing from a friend’s wife about Travis’s dating life ensues, culminating in the wives signaling that it’s time to head home.

As Travis waits for his sister on the back porch, listening to music and playing fetch with his dog, Moby, the narrative perspective shifts. A woman, observing Travis from her residence, enters the scene. She internally laments the difficulties of her week and suspects that her dog, Molly, might be pregnant with mixed-breed puppies, attributing blame to Moby. From a distance, she scrutinizes Travis, deeming him carefree and seemingly without substantial responsibilities. In her musings, she briefly references her boyfriend’s reluctance toward marriage.

As her frustration builds, she resolves to address Travis about what she perceives as his un-neighborly behavior. Walking up through the backyard, she is unexpectedly tackled by Moby in pursuit of a ball. Travis lends a hand to help her up, and, flustered, she struggles to find the right words while standing in the bushes beset by mosquitoes. Declining Travis’s offer of a seat, she launches into a disconnected rant, sharing the challenges of her week and concerns about her profession, her boyfriend, and Molly’s unexpected pregnancy.

Throughout their interaction, Travis notes her beauty, appreciating the imperfect aspects that make her feel vulnerable. Gabby, the woman, acknowledges the same in Travis but with anger. When Travis assures her that Moby couldn’t have impregnated Molly, she storms off, convinced he would deny any responsibility. Unbeknownst to them, Travis’s sister, who had been watching the unfolding debacle from the house, inquires about Gabby as a potential romantic connection. Travis asserts that they are merely neighbors, prompting playful banter with his sister, who predicts that he will be seeing more of Gabby in the future.

Gabby reflects on her uncertain feelings after leaving Travis’s house. Despite the lack of resolution about Molly’s pregnancy and Travis’s denial of responsibility, Gabby finds a newfound confidence in standing up for herself—an unusual act for her. She acknowledges her usual hesitancy to speak her mind, be it with her boyfriend Kevin, who usually decides on their plans, or even with her critical mother. Molly nudges her conscience, suggesting she could have been more convincing in blaming Moby for the situation.

Gabby thinks about her mother, a high-class Southern woman with an elegant demeanor, contrasting her with Gabby’s own less-than-refined inclinations. She contemplates her parents’ seemingly opposite personalities but enduring love, wondering about the origins of their connection. Gabby desires a family life akin to her mother’s yet envisions a career like her father’s, despite her mother steering her away from medical school and toward becoming a physician’s assistant. As she muses, Gabby finds herself drawn back to Travis’s sweet demeanor and validating gaze during their interaction.

Motivated to improve herself, Gabby sees her new house as an opportunity for positive change, aiming for a more active lifestyle and healthier habits. She contemplates the possibility of sharing her desires with Kevin about their relationship and future but hesitates, acknowledging their ongoing internal changes. As she lets Molly out, Gabby considers Travis’s suggestion and contemplates taking her dog to the vet for confirmation—a step toward improvement and a symbol of the changes she aspires to make in her life.

In this chapter, Gabby undergoes a rigorous workout routine, jogging to the gym and experiencing intense pain from her efforts. Despite this, she manages to stick to her planned activities, including signing up for a full-body workout and purchasing an astronomy book. At work, in her pediatric practice, Gabby reflects on her initial choice of pediatrics over cardiology, influenced by a doctor who convinced her of its rewards during her clinical rotation. Although pediatrics pays less, she appreciates witnessing the growth and milestones of infants and toddlers. However, she expresses frustration with her parents, who undermine her expertise due to her age and perceived status as an overqualified nurse. Working with the inappropriately flirtatious Dr. Melton and encountering a challenging patient case with George’s mother, Eva, further emphasizes her mixed feelings about her profession.

Gabby’s visit to the vet with her dog, Molly, takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that the vet is her neighbor, Dr. Travis Parker. Molly is confirmed to be pregnant; however, Travis insists that Moby couldn’t be the father because he is neutered and suggests it might be another neighbor’s Labrador retriever. Feeling small and frustrated, Gabby asks why Travis didn’t speak up earlier, and their interaction leaves her conflicted about his politeness. Travis imparts information about Molly’s pregnancy, and Gabby, in pain from her workout, waits until he leaves before tending to Molly and returning home.

Travis reflects on his thoughts and aspirations as he observes Gabby leaving the clinic with her dog. He envisions building a rustic and ancient-looking house for a lot he owns overlooking Shackleford Banks, contemplating whether it’s better suited for a more traditional family home. Travis reflects on his family, recognizing the enduring marriage of his parents for 35 years, a stark contrast to his own singlehood and reluctance to rush into marriage. Thoughts of past relationships, particularly with ex-girlfriend Olivia, resurface, highlighting his fascination with women but his struggle to commit.

In a string of loosely connected thoughts, Travis reminisces about his school days, acknowledging his preference for living over grades, a sentiment echoed by his mother, who always urged him to apply himself. His disciplined daily routine, including eating the same meals every day, prompts discussion among friends. Travis connects these musings to Gabby, attributing his deep thoughts to her sudden appearance. Contemplating a potential date with Gabby, he envisions inviting her to join his friends, wondering about her interests, and dismissing stereotypes about women. Despite Travis’s attempt to downplay his thoughts, a lingering curiosity and intrigue about Gabby remains.

Gabby becomes a recluse, actively avoiding Travis after the incident with Molly. Despite apologizing to Travis at the clinic, she feels worse when he accepts her apology nonchalantly. Gabby establishes a new routine of monitoring Travis’s movements from her house, eventually moving to accommodate Molly’s nesting needs. She reflects on her relationship with Kevin, noting his increasing absence due to his taking over his father’s insurance broker business. Gabby questions why Kevin hasn’t proposed and contemplates spending time alone, considering a beach outing but fearing judgment from others. However, her plans take a drastic turn when she discovers Molly in distress after giving birth. Panicked, she seeks Travis’s help, and he calmly guides her through the situation, explaining Molly’s need for care at the clinic. Despite Gabby’s insistence on accompanying Molly, Travis highlights the lack of suitable accommodations. Gabby’s attempt to call Kevin for support leads to him rushing over to console her, offering to cancel his trip, which she declines, assuring him that things will be fine.

Max Parker, Travis’s father, is introduced as a well-liked veterinarian in a small town. After Travis successfully handles a medical procedure on Molly, Max congratulates him and insists he take a break. On his way home, Travis stops by Gabby’s house, picking up her newspaper. He notices her unconventional beauty and assures her that Molly is doing well. Gabby expresses a desire to visit Molly, and they agree to meet during her lunch break. As they interact, Gabby becomes increasingly aware of Travis’s attractiveness and Southern charm, leading her to question the nature of their interactions. Throughout the day, she finds herself operating on autopilot, unable to shake thoughts of Travis. When she checks on Molly, she is taken aback by Travis’s presence and finds herself contemplating her connection with him.

The narrative delves into Gabby’s past, exploring her relationship with Kevin and the origin of their romance. Back at the clinic, Travis invites Gabby to join him and his friends for parasailing the next day, revealing a playful side. Gabby initially resists, mentioning her boyfriend, Kevin, but Travis suggests Kevin could come too. As the conversation unfolds, Gabby admits to being in love with Kevin. Travis, in a lighthearted manner, suggests she can still be in love with him while joining them for parasailing, leaving the decision up to her.