The Collected Regrets of Clover

Clover travels to a Harlem death café, where she once again meets Sebastian. He strikes up a conversation with Clover and defends his presence at the café, explaining that his concern about his grandmother’s death is real. Clover finally reveals that she works as a death doula and is not keen on discussing her job. Sebastian complains about his family’s reluctance to talk about his dying grandmother. Clover then makes a hasty exit, unsure how to address the situation and her lie regarding her grandmother’s death.

Clover reminisces about her grandfather, whose death still casts a shadow over her life. In fact, the chapter reveals that she was diagnosed with persistent complex bereavement disorder, which she calls “chronic grief,” because she had failed to move on eight months after her grandfather’s death. However, Clover defends her process of grieving, arguing that everyone grieves differently and there is no set timeline for an end to grief. Thus, she maintains the weekly tradition of dining at their favorite diner and visiting the bookstore, as she did when her grandfather was alive. At the bookstore, she observes two men sharing a special connection while browsing books, highlighting her own longing for intimacy.