My beta readers helped tremendously to keep the work authentic. Thank you to the keen eye of Christine Tsai (Phoenix’s black moment is for you), Tobie Kramer, Rachel Mack, Debra Battista and Rebecca Green; the creativity of art director Chui-Man Lee; the authors’ perspectives of Meredith Stack Ross and Leslie Wirtley (RIP); the dedication of Carol DeVito to finish the manuscript in one sole weekend; the advice of Caridad Piniero; and to readers like Dr. Rebecca Li and Emma Boushie who encouraged me by simply falling in love with the story.
This book is dedicated to my family, who permitted me late nights and vacation time to write. You granted me freedom; there is no greater gift. To the authors who transported me to new worlds during my childhood, I salute your imagination, for you nourished mine. Lastly, thank you, dear reader. Phoenix and Orchid expanded my heart. I hope they’ve found a place in yours.
Discussion Questions
The opening chapter, in which Phoenix suffers an accident after leaving Orchid at the airport, begins the story at a critical juncture. What clues foreshadowed the difficulty Phoenix and Orchid would encounter after that?
The title Goodbye, Orchid is evocative and enigmatic. How does the theme of hellos and goodbyes echo throughout the story?
For most of Caleb’s life, he often feels inferior to his twin. How does Phoenix’s accident change Caleb’s understanding of himself?
After the accident, Phoenix’s stated rationale for leaving Orchid is to protect her. Later, when Caleb starts to advocate for Orchid, he asks his brother, “Who are you trying to protect? Her, or you?” Do you agree with Caleb that there are other reasons for Phoenix’s refusal to see Orchid? Which ones are you most sympathetic to?
Orchid has lost a great deal in her early life—her parents’ death, abandonment by her uncle. How do you think these experiences shaped her, and contributed to her drive?
Discuss the depiction of Phoenix and Caleb’s relationship as twins. They’ve taken divergent career and life paths, yet in what ways are they alike?
What does the novel illuminate for you about adapting to a disability? How do you perceive Phoenix’s experience after reading the whole book?
One key turning point in Phoenix’s recovery is Caleb’s surprise trip to Walter Reed Medical Center. How much did that visit change your perceptions of Phoenix’s injuries?
After Phoenix returns to work, he meets and dates Rina. Did you root for them to stay together or break up, and why do you think that is?
Several people in Phoenix’s life protect and care for him. For example, his mother Veronica, his assistant Liv, his business partner Dex, his brother’s ex-girlfriend Sascha. How does each of them contribute to or hamper his recovery?
Phoenix ends up hurting the person he’s trying to protect. Is that transgression forgivable? If so, is that because of the extent of his suffering? because his intentions are noble? Or other reasons?
Who grows the most as a result of dealing with the accident? Is it Phoenix, as he learns to relinquish his perfectionism? Caleb, as he accepts the weight of responsibility for helping his brother? Or Orchid, who overcomes her aversion to trauma, and grows to understand her hyper-sensitivity as empathy?
After the initial shock of learning about Phoenix’s accident, Orchid takes matters into her own hands. How do you feel about her decision to enlist Caleb’s help, and the ways in which she tries to connect with Phoenix over their Easter weekend?
In the last scene of the novel at Tish’s wedding, Phoenix tries to find the right moment to tell Orchid how he feels, while Orchid, believing this is goodbye, tries not to get swamped with emotion. How does each of their final actions reflect their love for one another? How does this affect your feelings about each of them?
Table of Contents
Cover
Title
Copyright
CHAPTER 1 TEMPORARY GROUND
CHAPTER 2 I JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF
CHAPTER 3 MANY SHADES OF BLACK
CHAPTER 4 IN THE COLD, COLD NIGHT
CHAPTER 5 INTIMATE SECRETARY
CHAPTER 6 TAKE ME WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO
CHAPTER 7 NEVER FAR AWAY
CHAPTER 8 THE AIR NEAR MY FINGERS
CHAPTER 9 WEEP THEMSELVES TO SLEEP
CHAPTER 10 A MARTYR FOR MY LOVE FOR YOU
CHAPTER 11 I THINK I FOUND THE CULPRIT
CHAPTER 12 LITTLE ACORNS
CHAPTER 13 CONSOLER OF THE LONELY
CHAPTER 14 MY DOORBELL
CHAPTER 15 STORE-BOUGHT BONES
CHAPTER 16 BLUE ORCHID
CHAPTER 17 THERE’S NO HOME FOR YOU HERE
CHAPTER 18 THE DENIAL TWIST
CHAPTER 19 ALONE IN MY HOME
CHAPTER 20 LOVE IS BLINDNESS
CHAPTER 21 CATCH HELL BLUES
CHAPTER 22 CALL IT A DAY
CHAPTER 23 LITTLE GHOST
CHAPTER 24 WANT AND ABLE
CHAPTER 25 JUST ONE DRINK
CHAPTER 26 I CAN’T WAIT
CHAPTER 27 SALUTE YOUR SOLUTION
CHAPTER 28 I’M SHAKIN’
CHAPTER 29 THE WORLD
CHAPTER 30 ONE MORE CUP OF COFFEE
CHAPTER 31 SIXTEEN SALTINES
CHAPTER 32 FREEDOM AT 21
CHAPTER 33 STEADY AS SHE GOES
CHAPTER 34 YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS
CHAPTER 35 YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND ME
CHAPTER 36 YOU’VE GOT HER IN YOUR POCKET
CHAPTER 37 WOULD YOU FIGHT FOR MY LOVE?
CHAPTER 38 DEATH LETTER
CHAPTER 39 TWO AGAINST ONE
CHAPTER 40 IT’S TRUE THAT WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER
CHAPTER 41 GIRL, YOU HAVE NO FAITH IN MEDICINE
CHAPTER 42 HYPOCRITICAL KISS
CHAPTER 43 SEVEN NATION ARMY
CHAPTER 44 LOVE, INTERRUPTION
CHAPTER 45 HIP (EPONYMOUS) POOR BOY
CHAPTER 46 YELLOW SUN
CHAPTER 47 HELLO OPERATOR
CHAPTER 48 ICKY THUMP
CHAPTER 49 ANOTHER WAY TO DIE
CHAPTER 50 BROKEN BOY SOLDIER
CHAPTER 51 PRICKLY THORN BUT SWEETLY WORN
CHAPTER 52 CAUSE AND EFFECT
CHAPTER 53 WHO’S LEAVING WHO
CHAPTER 54 MISSING PIECES
NOTE TO READERS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Goodbye, Orchid Page 24