“Before he met her, he was self-conscious, hesitant to speak even in front of people he knew. But Thea was completely unfazed the first time he stuttered in front of her. She didn’t try to finish his sentence, didn’t look away in discomfort. She just waited until he got the words out.”

Gavin’s stutter symbolizes his struggles with communication and emotional vulnerability. Thea’s patient response—waiting for him to finish without discomfort—shows her supportiveness and acceptance, highlighting the strength of their bond despite their relationship difficulties. This moment illustrates their deep empathy despite the problems in their marriage. It underscores the novel’s theme of The Importance of Communication to successful relationships, which requires speaking and listening with patience and understanding.

“It was too humiliating. It would be bad enough to admit that he couldn’t satisfy his own wife in bed, but to also have to own up to the special kind of dumbfuckery that made him freak out, move into the guest room, punish his wife with the silent treatment, and refuse to hear her explanations because his ego was too fucking fragile to handle it? Yeah, no.”

Gavin reflects on the catalyst for his breakup with Thea, acknowledging his role in the disintegration of their relationship. His description reveals how his fragile ego and refusal to communicate openly led to a cycle of emotional avoidance, symbolized by his retreat to the guest room and use of the silent treatment. The passage highlights The Importance of Communication and illustrates how pride and insecurity can prevent individuals from facing their issues. Gavin’s refusal to share the real reason for the breakup with his friends further emphasizes his shame and fear of vulnerability, underscoring the emotional barriers he must overcome to reconcile with Thea.