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AWLL2 — Book 1 — Bethany

Last updated through AWLL2.1 ch 54.

Book summary

AWLL2.1 Bethany runs December 1985–June 1987. The Stockholm honeymoon ends; Jessica resumes Indianapolis rotations while Kara stays with Steve; Bethany moves out after Jesse's birth and Andrew's intolerance ends their engagement. NIKA wins Waukesha, faces Anthony/Connie mob pressure and Cicero clients' moral turpitude objections — Stephanie becomes CEO, Elyse CFO, Steve retreats to programmer role. Bethany's PTSD confession and American Club farewell weekend restore friendship; she courts Nick, moves back, and marries June 20, 1987. Stephie's cancer recurs terminal; Tatyana/Lyudmila arcs close; Steve earns karate black belt. Jessica matches UofC Emergency Medicine; Matthew and Kristin born; Thanksgiving fight over Jeff; book ends with Bethany/Nick wedding and Ed Krajick arrested for murder. Prologue (March 2005): Matthew (18) chooses Navy nuclear program; Chelsea at Loyola; Stephanie in Oswego.

Chapter summaries

  • Prologue — March, 2005, Chicago, Illinois — Steve journals on a G5 iMac. Matthew (18) announces he will join the Navy for nuclear/submarine training instead of college; has researched ASVAB, schools, and re-enlistment bonus. Chelsea at Loyola (two years left); couple together since childhood. Jessica (his mom) reluctant but will sign enlistment papers. Stephanie lives in Oswego for quiet schools; Matthew visits with bag.

  • Chapter 1 — December 30, 1985–January 3, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Steve, Jessica, and Kara return from Stockholm; Stephanie meets them at O'Hare. Sofia moves in with Bethany at Kathy/Kurt's. Dave fires Dany for leaking Jessica's Indianapolis address. New Year's party with housemates and friends; Tatyana visit planned. House rhythms resume with Jesse imminent.

  • Chapter 2 — January 5–17, 1986, Chicago / Indianapolis / Waukesha — Jessica drives to Indianapolis for rotations; Steve and Kara feel the empty house. Bears playoff run; house watches Super Bowl Shuffle video. Tatyana refuses to kiss engaged Steve. Lyudmila sends provocative photos from Moscow. Steve pitches NIKA at Waukesha; Connie asks an armed favor — Steve refuses. Weekend visits to Jessica; karate training continues.

  • Chapter 3 — January 19–31, 1986, Chicago / Indianapolis — Steve tries to repair intimacy with Bethany; she cannot handle sex yet. Challenger disaster — house watches memorial; God Bless America at ceremony. Super Bowl XX party; Bears win. Bethany decides she must move out. Weekend in Indianapolis with Jessica.

  • Chapter 4 — February 22–23, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Jesse Stephen Block born (7 lb 15 oz); Jennifer and Josie as mothers, Steve present. Bethany confirms she will leave the house after the birth. Emotional household adjusts to new baby and impending departure.

  • Chapter 5 — February 23–March 6, 1986, Chicago / Indianapolis — Bethany moves to Kathy/Kurt's. Olof Palme assassination shocks Sofia. NIKA wins Waukesha contract. Penny begins dating. Steve processes loss of daily Bethany presence while supporting Jessica weekends.

  • Chapter 6 — March 7–25, 1986, Chicago / Indianapolis — Debate over Penny/Jessica dalliance permission. Lyudmila visits Chicago. Steve walks Jesse in the park; parenting routines expand. Jessica Sub-I stress; house holds together around baby and business travel.

  • Chapter 7 — March 27–30, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Spring break; Kara birthday video project (Insatiable). Adult toy shopping. Doctor Barton Easter dinner invitation. Housemate social calendar fills; Jesse centerpiece of family life.

  • Chapter 8 — April 6–19, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Bethany birthday; Steve's birthday party. Effy proposition rejected. Kara discusses orchestrating Jessica's proposal history. Bethany restoration threads advance.

  • Chapter 9 — April 19–30, 1986, Chicago / Indianapolis — Jessica insecurity about distance and dalliances; Kara mediates triad rules. Anthony threatens at Jessica's Indianapolis apartment over Connie grudge. Steve holds boundaries; triad commitment reaffirmed.

  • Chapter 10 — May 2–5, 1986, Chicago / Indianapolis — Jessica birthday; Happy Birthday at Bartons and at home. Cindi/Chris wedding — The Bridal Chorus; Casey fired for leaking address. Orthodox Pascha with Father Basil; Steve and Kara receive blessings. Jessica returns to rotations.

  • Chapter 11 — May 6–16, 1986, Los Angeles / Chicago / Indianapolis — NIKA pitches Ford, Jackson, Finch in LA; Volstead & Braun networking. Keep on Loving You at park with Jesse. Support technician ad placed. Jessica weekend; business and family miles pile up.

  • Chapter 12 — May 17–19, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Graduation party. Effy rejected again. Kara on Bethany restoration necessity. Cincinnati trip planned for Volstead presentation. Steve's romantic bandwidth stays with wives and house.

  • Chapter 13 — May 20–23, 1986, Chicago / Cincinnati, Ohio — Elyse marathon lovemaking; baby-making continues. Cincinnati presentations; Becky friendship renewed at van Hoek dinner. Volstead & Braun demo success.

  • Chapter 14 — May 23–25, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Jessica depression over separation. Sofia visiting-student arrangement for Jessica's Chicago month. Guys' breakfast Lou Mitchell's; Top Gun outing. Triad plans summer proximity fixes.

  • Chapter 15 — May 27–June 1, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Reds at Wrigley. Tatyana farewell before Moscow departure. Guys' night and gals' night rhythms. Kara studies; Steve juggles Jesse, work, and karate.

  • Chapter 16 — June 2–14, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Tatyana flies to Moscow. Jamie/Jackie park wedding. House celebrates; Russian friend circle shifts to letters and Vanya/Katya contacts.

  • Chapter 17 — June 15–22, 1986, Chicago / Batavia, Ohio / Indianapolis — Bethany and Jessica grant Steve permission for restoration sex when ready. Kara's mother remarries in Batavia. Horse-riding plans with Jessica. Political/religious liberty debates at wedding reception.

  • Chapter 18 — June 23–July 7, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Theo/Alderman Bloom political errands. Steve passes karate test toward black belt. July 4 party. Sofia's parents visit from Sweden.

  • Chapter 19 — July 20–23, 1986, Chicago / New York, New York — UN tour with Josh/Mary; Lyudmila meets Steve in NY. Counsel on dalliance ethics. Russian friends network tightens.

  • Chapter 20 — July 23–24, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Lyudmila arrives from NY; Steve agrees to one-night dalliance (condom); first vaginal intercourse. HBO — The Karate Kid. Jessica/Kara boundaries restated.

  • Chapter 21 — July 25–29, 1986, Southeast US / Dawsonville, Georgia / Indianapolis — Lyudmila boards for Stanford. Road trip; Talladega with Stephie (cancer in remission); wedding set November 2 Atlanta. Jessica Indianapolis weekend.

  • Chapter 22 — July 30–August 1, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Work-study veto for Natalya internship. Lyudmila PC ordered. NIKA office lease and staffing decisions.

  • Chapter 23 — August 1–5, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Jessica home two months. Office lease signed. NIKA board meeting; corporate growth formalized.

  • Chapter 24 — August 17–21, 1986, Brooklyn, Michigan / Chicago — Michigan NASCAR weekend. Theo errands. Elyse pregnancy attempts intensify.

  • Chapter 25 — August 21–September 2, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Joyce/Grandmother rein in Connie. Gun in Steve's desk drawer. Carol subplot at hospital. Mob pressure persists; Steve prepares countermeasures.

  • Chapter 26 — September 5–14, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Elyse baby-making; reads Red Storm Rising. Pan Am Karachi hijacking news. September 14: Bethany confession — Wisconsin grad-student affair, deliberate Andrew engagement to hurt Steve, PTSD from crash/rape. Kathy pregnant; Bethany will room with Stephanie after birth.

  • Chapter 27 — September 15, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Cicero firm rejects NIKA over Steve's moral turpitude. Stephanie named CEO, Elyse CFO; Steve steps back as programmer. Elyse late — likely pregnant. Dad/Joyce support restructure. Jesse nearly walks at six months.

  • Chapter 28 — September 20–25, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Bethany moves back; Nick at guys' breakfast. Natalya/Tasha sauna shock — conservative Tasha overwhelmed by house nudity. Father Basil lunch — Orthodox patience with Steve's lifestyle. IIT internship recruiting.

  • Chapter 29 — October 4, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Jessica leaves for surgery Sub-I (October 4 return). Parenting debate: Jesse/Francesca kisses; Carol repression vs Steve's permissive stance. Bethany schedules American Club restoration weekend (October 17–19).

  • Chapter 30 — October 4–19, 1986, Chicago / Indianapolis / Kohler, Wisconsin — Sauna parenting talk. Jessica weekend passion before Kohler. Governor Suite weekend: final sexual closure with Bethany; pet name Sweetheart retired afterward. Bethany urges Steve to prepare Jessica for Stephanie secret.

  • Chapter 31 — October 19–November 2, 1986, Chicago / Atlanta, Georgia — Bethany/Nick dating; sauna acclimation. Stephie/Red wedding at Atlanta Motor Speedway infield; Bill Elliott race day. Mary takes State Department Russian Desk job.

  • Chapter 32 — November 3–9, 1986, Chicago / Boston, Massachusetts — Jessica 4:00am anesthesiology rotation. Waukesha budget optimism. Carol's husband leaves; Bethany counsels. Katy/Kenneth Boston wedding; breakfast with Josh/Mary. Iran-Contra rumors.

  • Chapter 33 — November 25–28, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Waukesha contract renewed. Thanksgiving with four Great Lakes recruits; Ray WWII stories. Jeff tries to hold Jesse — Jessica bans him; Judy clashes. Weekend sauna; Star Trek movie plans.

  • Chapter 34 — November 29–December 6, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — Barton dinner; Jessica EM residency track. Alfonso delivers Anthony message — Steve threatens Marcello connection. Employee reviews; Heather hired. Anniversary plans.

  • Chapter 35 — December 12, 1986, Chicago, Illinois — NIKA Christmas bonuses. Jason calls: Stephie's cancer spread — six months to a year. Bethany blunt grief counseling; Steve walks cold streets, accepts responsibilities over self-pity.

  • Chapter 36 — December 12–15, 1986, Indianapolis / Chicago — Indianapolis weekend grief sex with wives. Early anniversary celebration at Iaria's. December 15 legal anniversary re-enactment. Barbara hired; Waukesha PO arrives.

  • Chapter 37 — December 23–26, 1986, Chicago / Indianapolis — Dual Christmas trees; Jessica reveals teen drag-racing and pot arrest past. Christmas Eve ham dinner; Christmas Day gifts and pot roast. Jessica confesses residency fears.

  • Chapter 38 — December 31, 1986–January 7, 1987, Chicago / Indianapolis — New Year's smörgåsbord; Broken Wings and Take My Breath Away dances. Jessica insecurity about residency vs marriage — Steve and Kara reassure. January medicine rotation; Bethany gives Jessica research paper on incest.

  • Chapter 39 — January 11–21, 1987, Chicago, Illinois — Lyudmila Christmas visit en route Stanford. NIKA sales expansion (San Francisco, St. Louis). Dell 80386 upgrade planning. Desktop publishing niche explored.

  • Chapter 40 — January 23–24, 1987, Chicago, Illinois — Stephie visits Chicago — terminal cancer; death-and-dying counselor. Sauna grief; Steve faces mortality theology. Peaches cried out; prepares Steve for Georgia visits.

  • Chapter 41 — January 26–29, 1987, Chicago, Illinois — Stephie departs; Bethany grief talk — anger at universe, not Stephie. Father Basil friendship without conversion. Orthodox ritual comfort discussed.

  • Chapter 42 — February 13–22, 1987, Chicago, Illinois — Jesse first birthday party. Valentine/Presidents' Day gatherings. Vanya/Tatyana wedding gift planning. House celebrates toddler Jesse vocabulary explosion.

  • Chapter 43 — March 2–10, 1987, Chicago / Indianapolis — Boston Legal Systems competitor demo. NIKA v2.0 search feature priority. Jessica rotation wrap. Pricing war strategy sessions.

  • Chapter 44 — March 11, 1987, Cincinnati / Indian Hill / Milford, Ohio — Joyce/Dad strategy on BLS competition. Larry nursing-school lunch. Becky chess dinner. Bethany/Nick June 20 Milford wedding confirmed.

  • Chapter 45 — March 12–17, 1987, Indianapolis / Chicago — Steve codes search overhaul in Jessica's apartment. Becky chess-stakes flirtation — Steve wins; Jessica angry. Match Day anticipation.

  • Chapter 46 — March 19–29, 1987, Chicago, Illinois — Jessica matches UofC Emergency Medicine (March 19). Barton celebration dinner scheduled. NIKA release 2.0 prep. Residency logistics planning.

  • Chapter 47 — March 30–April 14, 1987, Chicago / Milwaukee / Waukesha — Jessica Northwestern cardiology rotation commutes. Vanya calls from Moscow. Waukesha year-end transition planning. Medical software screen redesign.

  • Chapter 48 — April 18–22, 1987, Carol Stream / Chicago — Orthodox Pascha at Saint Innocent; blessing not communion. Steve birthday party. Penny seventeenth birthday Benihana. The Tracey Ullman Show Simpsons short noted.

  • Chapter 49 — April 24–May 4, 1987, Chicago, Illinois — Novell distributor proposal. Kaitlin part-time sales. Jessica birthday dinner; Happy Birthday. Board report on post-Waukesha staffing.

  • Chapter 50 — May 11–13, 1987, Chicago, Illinois — Kaitlin propositions Steve — refused (employee rule). Shari virgin tease from Kara. Tom leaving for independent consulting. Staffing transitions.

  • Chapter 51 — May 15, 1987, Chicago, Illinois — Kara semester end. Shari (Sioux City freshman) loses virginity to Steve at party — Kara arranged. Steve returns to wives; balance lecture from Jessica.

  • Chapter 52 — May 16–25, 1987, Chicago, Illinois — Shari morning after. Tom departure party. Penny/Maria graduation. Jessica Indianapolis outpatient rotation. Skydiving deferred until Jessica home.

  • Chapter 53 — May 26–June 2, 1987, Chicago / Indianapolis — Tom consults independently. Kristin Abigail Jaeger born (May 27). Penny graduation. Elyse labor — Matthew Stephen Clarke born (June 1–2). Stephie calls from Dover; Steve tells her about babies.

  • Chapter 54 — June 3–20, 1987, Chicago / Cincinnati / Milford, Ohio — Matthew home; Jesse jealous. Jennifer/Josie anniversary surprise. Alonzo hire — Steve rebuffs racist union talk. Shaughnessy flight lesson. June 20: Bethany/Nick wedding in Milford; dance to Our Last Summer. Ed Krajick arrested for murder at reception.