An Anonymous Girl: A Novel

Dr. Shields talks indirectly to Jessica about their developing relationship. She considers them to be acquaintances now and notes how the more familiar people become, the more developed their judgments of one another become. Despite this familiarity and growing understanding, judgment doesn’t vanish. The way a person judges another is often born of their own problems or insecurities. Dr. Shields ends by saying that everyone is responsible for their own judgments, even if they do not necessarily know the reasons for those judgments.

On Friday, December 7, Jessica hears from Dr. Shields, who asks her to dress elegantly and be ready for an Uber at eight o’clock. The driver’s silence causes Jessica to panic and wonder if she has been kidnapped, but he soon drops her off in front of a hotel. Jessica receives a text to go into the bar and sit across from a group of men and order a drink. Confused, Jessica sits down, ordering a glass of wine. She gets another text telling her she looks perfect, and suddenly Jessica realizes that Dr. Shields is in the bar, but Jessica cannot spot her. Jessica is approached by a man who tries to invite her over, but she is instructed to focus on a man sitting alone nearby instead.