Chapter 7: Like We Own the Place – Moving, Part 2 Summary & Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The chapter follows Elizabeth’s continued attempt to buy Lois’s apartment through spring and early summer. A pattern emerges: Elizabeth calls Lois every two weeks; Lois says she intends to sell but delays, citing the need to contact her lawyer. Lois shares snippets of her life—her two marriages, her work for the Postal Service, her stepdaughter’s trip to Italy. Elizabeth remains patient, convinced Lois genuinely wants her to have the apartment. Meanwhile, Michael and Elizabeth begin investigating renovation costs. They let themselves into the apartment with Lois’s permission, bringing two contractors for estimates. The numbers vary widely. They also hire an architect to draw preliminary plans, and Elizabeth starts to feel the apartment is already theirs. They draft a contract offer with a price factoring in junk removal and send it to Lois by mail. After more stalling, Lois finally provides the names of her lawyer and accountant, allowing the contract to be emailed. The chapter ends with optimism that the deal may finally move forward.

Key Events

Elizabeth and Lois establish a biweekly phone routine; Lois repeatedly says “call me back in two weeks.”
Lois reveals personal history, including her late husband’s investment properties and her desire to sell without a real estate agent.
Elizabeth and Michael borrow the apartment key to walk through with contractors.
Two contractors give vastly different renovation estimates; they split the difference.
They hire a soft-spoken architect to create a floor plan and discuss a wish list.
Elizabeth feels a sense of ownership and entitlement, believing she has earned this apartment.
A contract with an offer is mailed to Lois; she eventually shares her lawyer and accountant’s contact details.

Character Development

Elizabeth Passarella: Shows perseverance and optimism but also a growing sense of entitlement. She acknowledges her tendency to trust people and believes she can outwait Lois. Her emotional investment in the apartment deepens as she pictures her family living there.
Lois: Portrayed as an elderly woman stuck in an analog world—no voicemail, email, or texting. She is emotionally attached to the apartment and genuinely seems to want Elizabeth to have it, yet her inability to follow through creates tension. Her crying when Elizabeth invites her for dinner reveals vulnerability.
Michael: Remains offstage but is referenced as skeptical of Elizabeth’s judgment of people. He represents a cautious counterbalance to her optimism.
Supporting figures: Jeff (building manager), the two contractors, and the architect each help advance the practical steps toward the purchase.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Trust and Patience: Elizabeth consistently trusts Lois’s word despite the stalling. Michael’s skepticism contrasts with her faith. The motif of “call me back in two weeks” becomes a rhythm of hope and frustration.
Ownership Before Purchase: The act of borrowing the key and walking through the empty apartment makes Elizabeth and Michael feel they already own it. They assign rooms to family members, symbolizing emotional possession before any contract is signed.
Renovation as Self-Expression: Elizabeth’s desire to pick finishes and fixtures reflects a longing to put her personal stamp on a home for the first time. She contrasts this with their current apartment’s builder-grade “boob lights” and cheap knobs.
Generational and Technological Gap: Lois’s reliance on Xerox machines and phone calls versus Elizabeth’s AirPods, email, and online research highlights the friction between generations.
Entitlement and Reward: Elizabeth believes she is “owed” this space after years of sacrifice in a small two-bedroom. She acknowledges this reasoning is flawed but cannot shake it.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the emotional stakes of the apartment purchase. It reveals Elizabeth’s vulnerability and her longing for a home that reflects her adulthood. The stalled negotiation introduces tension that carries forward to the next chapter. It also highlights the human connection between buyer and seller beyond a mere transaction: Lois cries at Elizabeth’s offer to have dinner, and Elizabeth feels protective of her. The chapter sets up the critical moment when the contract finally moves to Lois’s advisors, raising the question of whether the deal will close.

Study Questions and Answers

What pattern emerges in Elizabeth’s phone calls with Lois? They call every two weeks; Lois promises to sell but delays, saying she needs to contact her lawyer. Elizabeth remains patient and trusting, and each call ends with Lois reaffirming she wants Elizabeth to have the apartment.
How do the contractor estimates affect Elizabeth and Michael’s planning? The estimates vary widely—one is high-end and suggests gutting everything, the other is more modest. They split the difference and set a price that factors in junk removal, acknowledging they will face unforeseen expenses.
Why does Elizabeth feel entitled to this apartment? She feels she has paid her dues living in a small two-bedroom with three children for years. She sees this larger apartment as a reward for her patience and emotional maturity, even though she admits this reasoning is not rational.