New York
Candice's hobby after work is visiting Jonathan to spend the night together, and before they sleep, they often watch a movie. On the screen, Candice's description of New York depicts a sense of sight. Candice says, "Just looking at New York on the screen, the city was made new for me again, and I saw it as I once did in high school: romantic, shabby, not totally gentrified, and full of promise." The imagery is significant because it represents the foundation of Candice and Jonathan's relationship throughout the novel until the end. Similarly, the imagery shows Candice's memories of New York in high school. Later, Candice relocated to New York to experience its new developments.
Sense of touch
Candice's first experience sleeping with Jonathan is thrilling, and she explains her feelings through a sense of touch. Candice says, "When he rolled on top of me, he weighed into me fiercely, indenting me into the bedding. He could be so heavy when he wanted. I squeezed my hands into fists. I squeezed my eyes together. Slowly, I felt him lessening. I felt him stop. He could feel me shaking. He put his dry, hard palm on my forehead as if he were taking a sick person's temperature." The imagery is important because the exhilarating experience represents a bright future for the two lovebirds. Jonathan fantasizes about how the future is bright for them, and he assures Candice of a comfortable life.
The Gray East River
Candice's fear of water is illustrated through the sense of sight. Candice says, "Looking out at the gray East River as the J crossed the Williamsburg Bridge, I decided I'd just claim I was sick. I looked like I was sick, my eyes clustered with puffiness and dark bags." The imagery is noteworthy because it signifies how Candice responds to apprehension. Whenever Candice feels terrified, she fakes illness to be excused from any difficult assignment she is unwilling to undertake. Therefore, whenever Candice feels uncomfortable with any situation, she has a way out because she fakes sickness.
