A Brief Connection with Iris

Women

This flow traces Iris Duarte’s visit from a warm encounter in Vancouver to a Thanksgiving stay marked by attraction but no durable commitment.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Vancouver Reading The Vancouver Reading from "Women". Iris at the Party A direct invitation After Chinaski reads in Vancouver, Iris Duarte tells him she is going with him.

The Vancouver Reading from "Women". Iris at the Party A direct invitation After Chinaski reads in Vancouver, Iris Duarte tells him she is going with him.

Iris at the Party A direct invitation After Chinaski reads in Vancouver, Iris Duarte tells him she is going with him. She is a waitress who hopes to become a belly dancer and has read his books. A night together They drink and sleep together, though Chinaski initially struggles to perform. In the morning they find a more satisfying sexual rhythm and exchange contact details.

The Invitation South The Invitation South from "Women". Iris Plans a Visit A phone call Iris phones from Canada and says she will fly to Los Angeles before Thanksgiving.

The Invitation South from "Women". Iris Plans a Visit A phone call Iris phones from Canada and says she will fly to Los Angeles before Thanksgiving.

Iris Plans a Visit A phone call Iris phones from Canada and says she will fly to Los Angeles before Thanksgiving. Chinaski welcomes the news and gives her his flight information. A new complication He already has commitments with Sara and Debra. Instead of addressing them, he lets Iris believe that her visit can proceed without affecting anyone else.

The Thanksgiving Arrival The Thanksgiving Arrival from "Women". Welcome in Los Angeles Reunion at the airport Chinaski meets Iris at the airport, where they kiss and drive to his apartment.

The Thanksgiving Arrival from "Women". Welcome in Los Angeles Reunion at the airport Chinaski meets Iris at the airport, where they kiss and drive to his apartment.

Welcome in Los Angeles Reunion at the airport Chinaski meets Iris at the airport, where they kiss and drive to his apartment. She brings a dance for him and asks whether he would move to Vancouver. A possible future Iris’s roots are in the northwest, while Chinaski remains tied to Los Angeles. Their conversation opens a possibility but does not produce a shared plan.

The Turkey and the Affair The Turkey and the Affair from "Women". A Temporary Holiday Domestic intimacy Iris prepares the turkey, dances, and shares drinks with Chinaski.

The Turkey and the Affair from "Women". A Temporary Holiday Domestic intimacy Iris prepares the turkey, dances, and shares drinks with Chinaski.

A Temporary Holiday Domestic intimacy Iris prepares the turkey, dances, and shares drinks with Chinaski. Their sex is satisfying, and for a short time their relationship seems easy. A divided attention Chinaski continues writing to Tanya and thinking about other women. The warmth of the holiday does not become an exclusive commitment.

The Departure The Departure from "Women". Saying Goodbye A sober assessment Chinaski drives Iris to the airport and asks whether he will see her again.

The Departure from "Women". Saying Goodbye A sober assessment Chinaski drives Iris to the airport and asks whether he will see her again.

Saying Goodbye A sober assessment Chinaski drives Iris to the airport and asks whether he will see her again. She doubts it, telling him he has made an alcoholic out of her. Care without permanence He asks whether it was only the alcohol; she says no. Their parting is affectionate but final in tone, leaving behind a connection that mattered without becoming durable.

During Chinaski’s Canadian reading trip

Three days after Chinaski returns to Los Angeles

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day

The morning after Thanksgiving