The Wedding People

Phoebe wakes on Thursday morning, intending to walk to Edith Wharton’s house, but instead follows a dog down a rocky cliffside to his owner’s boat. The owner, a fisherman, asks Phoebe to briefly hold his line. She catches a fish, comparing the physical response of a fish out of water to her recent life-changing experiences. She continues to Wharton’s house, a gated private property. Phoebe realizes she doesn’t like Wharton’s writing enough to attempt a better view of the estate. Although she enjoys the parties and comedic aspects of Wharton’s writing, she dislikes the books’ sad endings.

Phoebe receives concerned text messages from Matt during the return walk; she is irritated that Matt entered her house, though touched that he buried Harry. Gary finds Phoebe looking distressed and makes light jokes, which immediately improves Phoebe’s mood. He escorts Phoebe back to the hotel for a bridal brunch, for which Phoebe is late. On the way, they talk about Wendy and Matt, Juice, and Phoebe’s infertility, sharing more intimate details about their grief. Gary apologizes for Marla’s loud personality, but Phoebe compares Gary’s family to the family in Pride and Prejudice, whom she admires, especially considering her excessively quiet childhood.