AWLL2 — Book 2 — Stephie¶

Last updated through AWLL2.2 ch 77.

Book summary¶

AWLL2.2 Stephie (June 1987–November 1988) is Steve Adams's POV on NIKA's expansion, his Orthodox spiritual search, and the death of Georgia Peach Stephie Grant—while his household absorbs Ed Krajick's murder frame-up, a Moscow wedding trip, and Kara's pregnancy. Ed is arrested at Bethany's wedding; Steve bluffs Anthony Cicilioni with Alfonso, ends mob entanglements, and fires harasser Kaitlin; Dante Puccini and cc:Mail/Novell work fund growth and a Hyde Park building purchase. Stephie enters hospice; Steve prays, drives to Dawsonville for her funeral (Oct 1987), and keeps Bill Elliott's NASCAR promise. 1988 brings Volstead & Braun piracy settlement, newborn Birgit, Chrissy's cocaine overdose and death, Sensei Steve at the dōjō, nanny Veronica, and tangled arcs with Tasha, Penny, Jolene, and Hope. Carla Rizzi serves a paternity suit for daughter Rachel (Spring 1984 encounter); Jessica flees to her cousin, stops speaking to Steve, and spirals at work. Bill wins the 1988 Winston Cup; Jessica returns for Thanksgiving 1988, reveals she is pregnant, and declares she will abort—Steve collapses on the sidewalk begging her not to. Book ends on that fracture, not reconciliation.

Chapter summaries¶

Prologue — August 2002, Chicago — Sunday sunroom: adult Birgit teases Steve about fantasies, presses who his first lover was (infers Jennie McGrath), and discusses Sweden exchange with Karin/Kristian and Kjell. Frame uses dated AWLL2 dateline; do not infer later-book marriages from prologue alone.
Chapter 1 — June 20–26, 1987 — Ed Krajick arrested for murder outside Bethany/Nick wedding; gun in trunk; Connie's call offers help if Steve works for Anthony; Joyce speculates mob; Steve plans Cincinnati trip; Jessica's missed ER diagnosis; The Untouchables dinner.
Chapter 2 — July 2–8, 1987 — Bethany reports Ed's gun evidence; July 4 party, Grant Park fireworks; Steve recruits Alfonso, visits Ed in jail (doubts innocence), meets Anthony/Connie at Andreas's apartment—gun to Connie's head bluff; alliance to clear Ed; Becky chess; Joyce breakfast; Jessica returns from shift.
Chapter 3 — July 8–10, 1987 — Anthony admits Ed framed by rival; Ben van Hoek aids defense; Becky platonic evening; Joyce debrief; Kaitlin propositions Steve; handbook bans manager-staff relationships; Julia documents incident.
Chapter 4 — July 10–14, 1987 — Dante Puccini contract meeting Lombard; Stephie birthday call on opiates; Bucktown Bistro breakfasts; Tasha sauna incident—Steve's double standard; employee policy drafting; Kaitlin termination prep.
Chapter 5 — July 14–17, 1987 — Elyse fights handbook over Kaitlin; lunch with Jamie—fire Kaitlin, Alderman Bloom; programmer hire Zeke; Kaitlin fired; Kimmy promoted receptionist.
Chapter 6 — July 17–26, 1987 — Post-firing office rhythm; Tasha relationship talk; Jessica Roxanne; Ed's parents may have exculpatory evidence; Natalya dinner; Aimee flight visit; Stephie decline update.
Chapter 7 — July 27–August 3, 1987 — Jesse to Moscow for Tanya/Dmitry wedding; Amsterdam layover; Soviet tour, GUM, vodka; Vanya Foreign Ministry; return detained briefly by FBI at O'Hare.
Chapter 8 — August 3–5, 1987 — FBI post-Moscow questioning; Dante demands; Kaitlin lawyer threatens; immigration hassle; Tom departs Wisconsin; stress piles on.
Chapter 9 — August 7–10, 1987 — Handbook staff meeting; Penny banter; Tasha asks Steve out; FBI via Jack Switzer; Jessica ER trauma shift; house sauna dynamics.
Chapter 10 — August 13–16, 1987 — Aimee and father fly in; poker, Take On Me / Money for Nothing; Stephie worsening; Barbara California move planning; Jorge returns; nanny talk.
Chapter 11 — August 17–19, 1987 — Northwest Flight 255 crash; Steve snaps at Julia over Dante—apologizes; competition for DP Engineering; Tasha intimacy advances.
Chapter 12 — August 20–21, 1987 — Jessica misses dinner without calling—couples fight; makeup sex; residency grind; Steve supports without controlling.
Chapter 13 — August 23–26, 1987 — IIT student party; Courtney propositions Steve; real-estate broker Bill shows Hyde Park building; loan prep; Father Basil lunch.
Chapter 14 — September 1–5, 1987 — Connie: witness cleared Ed; Shane Wator expects nolle prosequi; Stephie hospice; Father Basil nous and icons; building offer; IIT interns; sauna with students.
Chapter 15 — September 6–12, 1987 — Dad urges debt for expansion; Stephie rapid decline; cc:Mail distribution; building financing; Father Basil deeper counsel; movie No Way Out; intern Leila asks sex—Steve refuses.
Chapter 16 — September 12–20, 1987 — Tasha leaves after conflict; Anna and Navy friends visit; Kathy/Kurt dinner—platonic boundaries; Ed charges dropped news; house crowded.
Chapter 17 — September 24–October 2, 1987 — Kara pregnancy test positive—4am call to Ohio; bank loan interview; Tasha relationship defined; Melanie passes bar; Princess Bride; LeAnn calls: Stephie died ~1:15pm; Steve prays in Indian room.
Chapter 18 — October 2–7, 1987 — Grief management; funeral Wednesday Dawsonville; Red/Jason; Sensei Jim flies down; Ed nolle prosequi; Bethany support; Orthodox memorial elements; drive home.
Chapter 19 — October 10–22, 1987 — Barbara farewell toast; Dante LapLink/AppleShare hack; Greg engineering; Father Basil on marriage vs polygamy; life after Stephie.
Chapter 20 — October 23–25, 1987 — Bork defeat; Friends at St. George; Father Basil; Halloween prep; house fellowship.
Chapter 21 — October 25, 1987 — «Lagom» reflection after church—Stephie, Jess, Kara, mortality; Swedish balance; pipe from Stephie.
Chapter 22 — October 26–31, 1987 — Dante phone rage; Halloween party setup; Tasha/Courtney dynamics; Steve limits on new partners per Jessica.
Chapter 23 — October 31–November 1, 1987 — Halloween weekend party; dancing; threesome with Jessica/Kara stress relief; Tasha honesty.
Chapter 24 — November 5–7, 1987 — Dante contract crisis; building closing; Tasha moving-in talk; Elyse childcare for Matthew; decisions on living space.
Chapter 25 — November 9–19, 1987 — New NIKA building punch list; Julia budget authority; Running Man / Blazing Saddles refs; dinner and movies; Cindi spending rules.
Chapter 26 — November 21, 1987 — Lunch with Tasha (Natalya Zhukov) at Ed Debevic's; hotel — first vaginal intercourse (virgin; no condom; pills); overnight; trust building.
Chapter 27 — November 22–23, 1987 — Tasha dropped at IIT; Jessica/Kara confrontation avoided; Mayor Washington health rumors; media oddities.
Chapter 28 — November 24–26, 1987 — Thanksgiving week; Penny teasing; Harold Washington dies Nov 25; Tasha move-in deferred for Kara baby; house meeting planned; recruits Thanksgiving.
Chapter 29 — November 27–December 1, 1987 — House meeting—library/study shuffle; Penny confesses pregnancy by Ned; Becky backstory with Kara; Penny/Jackie counsel.
Chapter 30 — December 2–15, 1987 — Ned storms out over Penny; holiday office rhythm; Gorbachev/US politics; Jessica exams; building move prep.
Chapter 31 — December 16–25, 1987 — Jamie shareholder call; Christmas movies Secret of My Succe$s, porn rentals; You're the Inspiration; gifts; Leila sealed envelope.
Chapter 32 — December 26–27, 1987 — Aimee flies Beech to Meigs; family visit; The Economist euthanasia article; keycard security proposal; Novell server room locks.
Chapter 33 — December 27, 1987–January 1, 1988 — NYE party; Leila rules; Will You Still Love Me? / You're the Inspiration / Stay the Night; champagne countdown; Jesse bedtime.
Chapter 34 — January 2, 1988 — Tasha intimate weekend; drive west; relationship deepening; Steve guilt and joy mixed.
Chapter 35 — February 2–11, 1988 — Cincinnati: Volstead & Braun NDA settlement for software piracy; list of infringing firms; Jamie advises take deal; Chicago return; NIKA leverage on Dallas firms.
Chapter 36 — February 12–March 2, 1988 — Kara late pregnancy; snowstorm; Jessica boards; awkward starts to 1988; house tensions.
Chapter 37 — March 6–24, 1988 — Compensation review; Elyse company car lease idea; Windows 2.1 assessment; staff raises; Dante still bleeding-edge.
Chapter 38 — March 26–April 2, 1988 — Steve moody; Birgit prep; Jessica patience; karate focus slip; household chore wars.
Chapter 39 — April 3–4, 1988 — On track for delivery; Doctor Robertson; nursery ready; NIKA projects.
Chapter 40 — April 8–9, 1988 — Carol Stream visit; You're the Inspiration on radio after meaning-of-life talk; Birgit/Stephie legacy; shared consciousness riff.
Chapter 41 — April 15+, 1988 — Jane Doe sex-field bug—Penny's «bonehead»; consulting overload; Scott's class; staffing crunch.
Chapter 42 — April 15, 1988 — Jessica walk home; new friend Wendy / Penguins Anonymous; sparring metaphor.
Chapter 43 — April 17, 1988 — Steve turns 25; NASCAR viewing; party plans; Penny attic Almost Paradise dance.
Chapter 44 — May 1–14, 1988 — Semester end; Talladega; Melody party—Leader of the Band, Keep the Fire Burnin'; Jorge/Stephanie dance; exams.
Chapter 45 — May 15–22, 1988 — Chrissy cocaine OD at Stephanie's party; warrant search; Kara pregnant spared stress; Chrissy survives initially; house drug ban.
Chapter 46 — May 24–29, 1988 — Board meeting; Joyce stockholder rules; Windows review; Sensei Jim on Melody lessons; Kara labor begins May 29.
Chapter 47 — May 29–June 6, 1988 — Birgit Elizabeth Adams born; adjustments; hospital; Jesse meets sister; Bill Elliott races; homecoming.
Chapter 48 — June 7–11, 1988 — Office transitions; new hires; summer schedules; Penny returns.
Chapter 49 — June 11–12, 1988 — Sensei Steve teaches white belts; Jessica in class; Gorbachev/Estonia talk; dōjō leadership.
Chapter 50 — June 18–26, 1988 — Karate breakthrough with students; Jessica teaching; Penny access joke; family dinner rhythms.
Chapter 51 — July 2–3, 1988 — Fourth of July prep; Tribune Tiananmen; Jolene/Hope party plans; fireworks guest list.
Chapter 52 — July 3, 1988 — Jessica OKs Steve at girls' Truth-or-Dare; tame reality; Peggy stats; pool party.
Chapter 53 — July 3–4, 1988 — Truth-or-Dare escalates—Peggy dares Lisa; Steve boundaries; Jessica/Kara night.
Chapter 54 — July 5–22, 1988 — Summer running vs kata; Chris client like Dante; NIKA growth; staff friction.
Chapter 55 — July 22–23, 1988 — Veronica Burke nanny interview—Fox in Sox test; Who Framed Roger Rabbit; Truth-or-Dare questions round; Jennifer/Jesse Nintendo.
Chapter 56 — July 24–25, 1988 — Company party; Jessica receives medical license—Connie's celebration; Doctor Adams.
Chapter 57 — July 26–August 3, 1988 — Jacquelyn running dates; boarders; Alejandra departure; babies and rooms; license party fallout.
Chapter 58 — August 5–8, 1988 — Jessica crash after shifts; Jolene/Hope talk—don't wake sleeping dogs; Steve self-discovery.
Chapter 59 — August 9–15, 1988 — Jeri Windows port with Steve; Veronica first day; Jesse verdict; Bill race; Orthodox software for archbishop.
Chapter 60 — August 19–22, 1988 — Dan Quayle VP news; Michigan International Speedway; Milwaukee; Belarus client; Jolene tease.
Chapter 61 — August 22–28, 1988 — Marathon training; races with Jessica; Veronica proves value; young nanny vs grandmother type.
Chapter 62 — September 1–4, 1988 — Archbishop ALYPY meeting; Jeri present; Princess Bride quote; Panikhida for Stephie, Birgit, Don Joseph; professors.
Chapter 63 — September 4–5, 1988 — NASCAR; Melody Marvel — sauna/whirlpool, first vaginal intercourse with Steve (not virgin); relationships complicated at the dōjō.
Chapter 64 — September 5–11, 1988 — Melody dorm goodbye; Chris crush; Dante; Steve emotional guard.
Chapter 65 — September 11–16, 1988 — Public persona stress; Jolene/Hope gossip; Volstead echo; Gorbachev/Estonia; Sensei rank doubts.
Chapter 66 — September 18–20, 1988 — Jolene confrontation; Hope wants Steve; Steve sets boundaries; dōjō apology for lapse.
Chapter 67 — September 25–October 1, 1988 — Jolene church return; babies theme; Veronica; Halloween prep; Jason NASCAR crew.
Chapter 68 — October 2, 1988 — Jolene/Squirt talk; Melody rift; Chrissy arrested drug possession; Lisa calls Stephanie.
Chapter 69 — October 2–3, 1988 — Chrissy jail; Melanie as counsel; Steve won't bail; Bethany counseling angle; friendship support.
Chapter 70 — October 5–8, 1988 — Quayle–Bentsen debate; Chrissy critical; speedball; Jessica clinical realism.
Chapter 71 — October 8–13, 1988 — Chrissy dies; Jorge comforts Stephanie/Melody; Guys' Night; Dukakis town hall; NIKA strategy; Bill Elliott championship arc.
Chapter 72 — October 14–17, 1988 — Archbishop software success; Carla Rizzi paternity suit served—Rachel; Steve faints; Gwen Meyer; journal date Spring 1984.
Chapter 73 — October 17, 1988 — Gwen consult; Steve tells Kara; hospital wait—Jessica leaves via garage; Jessica flees without talking; Steve chases, rebuffed.
Chapter 74 — October 17–19, 1988 — Separation sobs; Kara firm; Elyse tells Stephanie; Jacquelyn run; Jess at cousin Carissa; Steve waits ER daily.
Chapter 75 — October 26–30, 1988 — Doctor Barton lunch—nine days separated; Halloween party; I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love; costume contest; Jolene rejected; depression.
Chapter 76 — October 31–November 4, 1988 — NASCAR points math; Gwen deposition—Carla credible; Jessica disciplinary hearing Thursday; Milwaukee Belarus trip; restraining order hearing.
Chapter 77 — November 5–24, 1988 — Sensei Jim focus warning; Phoenix race—Kulwicki first win, Bill fifth; Bush election; Alicia checks Jessica; California hiring interviews; Bill Elliott wins 1988 championship Atlanta—promise to Stephie; Thanksgiving—Jessica appears haggard at dinner; outside she says pregnant, will abort; drives away; Steve collapses begging «Please don't kill our baby!»