9. Close Quarters

I find it odd in this novel how the characters all interact with one another, despite any annoyances or discrepancies. Specifically, I do not see how Jake continues to spend time with Brett and her other boyfriends even though he is in love with her. That is a very difficult situation to handle watching the one you love be close with someone else. Not only does Jake eat dinner with Brett and Michael, he also agrees to let them go with him on a trip to Spain. On page 87 Mike asks, "When do you go to Spain? Would you mind if we came down with you?" And Jake replies, "It would be grand." I do not see how spending time with these two would be grand at all if I were Jake. He has become way too good at suppressing his true feelings. They are bound to come out of him sometime.