Blackout

This section of the novel dives deeper into the story of Kareem and Tammi. This story establishes that despite their rocky breakup, Kareem and Tammi continue to care for one another. The first moment in which it becomes clear that the pair still care for one another occurs near the beginning of the story, when Tammi asks to take a break from walking. Though Kareem expresses annoyance at first, his inquiry about the status of Tammi’s mental health—specifically, her anxiety—suggests that he both knows her well and is concerned about her overall wellbeing. Similarly, when Tammi gets annoyed with Kareem for checking his phone so frequently, the revelation that he is worried about his grandmother who lives in a nursing home causes her to take action. Tammi’s quick thinking in calling her mother and asking her to check up on Kareem’s grandmother demonstrates that she still cares for him and is willing to go out of her way to make sure his concerns are addressed.

Later in the story, Kareem’s continued concern for Tammi again becomes evident when she accidentally collides with a man on the street. The way Kareem jumps to her aid when the man becomes aggressive is indicative of the fact that Kareem still feels protective over Tammi, regardless of their separation. Moreover, the fact that Tammi successfully breaks up the almost-fight is proof of her own concern for Kareem, and desire to help him walk away from a fight rather than engage in violence on her behalf.

The clearest indication that Tammi and Kareem still care for one another occurs after the fight, when they are eating ice cream. Putting their rough patch behind them, Tammi and Kareem’s conversation about family and life and love highlights that they continue to share a deep emotional connection. However, when the discussion turns to their breakup, the lines become blurred once more. The fact that Tammi and Kareem are both convinced that the other is to blame for the downfall of their relationship illustrates that while they may still care for one another, there is still much work to do in the way of communicating more effectively and mending their relationship. The intimate moment they share at the end of the story, wherein Kareem ties Tammi’s shoes like old times, provides a sense of hope, as it indicates the possibility that this relationship may triumph in the end.