Before the Fall

The first part of the chapter recounts Eleanor’s relationship with her sister Maggie, as well as her relationship with Doug. Eleanor is two years younger than Maggie; as girls, they were almost inseparable. However, when Maggie went to college, Eleanor panicked about the possibility of being alone. She quickly realized that dating men allowed her to avoid that feeling of abandonment, and she spent the next decade or so seeking “couplehood.” with boys. When Maggie met Doug three years earlier, she overlooked his eccentric behavior, self-admitted lack of boundaries, and alcohol misuse. He’s “sweet” during the day and provides Eleanor with the companionship she craves. However, he dislikes David’s politics and wealth, even as he covets it. Several months before the plane crash, Eleanor and Doug had moved to Westchester to open a restaurant, but those plans stalled, and Doug is drinking more than ever, causing problems in their marriage. Now, however, Maggie, David, and Rachel are dead, and Eleanor and Doug stand to inherit “more money than they could ever spend” (109).

Three days after the crash, Eleanor and Doug attend the reading of the will. Eleanor knows any money will belong to JJ, but she senses Doug has designs on it.