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Anything is Possible: Lucy Barton's Return

Lucy--now a successful and highly regarded author-- returns to Amgash to visit her brother Pete. Her sister Vicky, resentful, says she is busy--but she shows up.   They sit in Pete's house and discussed their dysfunctional upbringing and their odd parents.  Mom took her sewing shears to Vicki's clothes.  Dad's loud sex with Mom in the room right next to Pete.  Vicki forced to eat food she'd thrown into the toilet.  Pete and Lucy forced to eat food they'd thrown in the garbage.They share this tension regarding their upbringing, but they aren't close.  Pete is autistic, so he's not close with anyone, though he does keep the women from arguing.  Vicky is resentful of Lucy's success and even more of Lucy's escape from Amgash.  (Lucy hasn't been back in 17 years.) Lucy says she has returned because she is feeling her own mortality and wants to reconnect with her siblings.
Toward the end of the visit Lucy has an anxiety attack. Lucy requests that Vicky drive her rental car back to Chicago with Pete following along behind.  (This is a big deal for Pete as he has never been to Chicago. As they drive, Lucy regains her composure and insists she is well enough to drive herself. This leaves Vicky and Pete to return to Amgash together. On the drive back, Pete tells Vicky that she's an incredible person--not quite sure why.  Nevertheless, the two who stayed behind seem bonded.  Lucy, on the other hand, is glad to get away. 

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