Hello Stranger: A Novel

Content Warning: This guide section references medical conditions and surgery, the loss of a parent, and mental health conditions.

Sadie Montgomery hasn’t discussed her career as an artist with her father since she told him eight years ago she was quitting medical school. However, after learning that she placed in the North American Portrait Society’s contest, she calls him to share the good news. Her father is a doctor and is traveling, so her call goes to voicemail. She calls her friend Sue, who has decided they must have an impromptu celebration. Sadie is a “starving artist” and lives in the building Sue’s parents own.

Her father is traveling and says he’ll call her back in 10 days. Sadie dresses for the party in a dress that once belonged to her dead mother and walks to the store for supplies. When she hears Smokey Robinson’s “I Second That Emotion,” her mom’s favorite song, playing over the loudspeaker, she begins singing aloud. At the checkout, Sadie realizes she left her purse at home. A man behind her offers to pay, but despite thinking he’s handsome and, in her portrait artist’s opinion, “perfectly proportional,” Sadie insists she doesn’t need his help.