Sandwich: A Novel
As the earth seasons in cycles, so do women, as shown in this humorous and touching novel. It is summertime and Rachel aka Rocky, husband Nicky, and their two grown children arrive at their yearly rental on Cape Cod. Twenty-four-year-old son Jamie is accompanied by his long-time girlfriend Maya, 20-year-old daughter Willa, and Chicken, their overfed and lovable tabby.
The rental is small and Rocky wonders how they will fit five in the small abode that has only one bathroom. They are also expecting her parents to join them for two days, which makes the space even more crowded, but Rocky loves her family unconditionally is excited at the thought of having all her loved ones with her; and that includes Maya, whom Rocky considers part of the family.
Arriving at their cottage, they are overcome by the stench of sewage and find a note posted above the toilet stating: “Do not overwhelm the ancient septic system.” The younger set decides to head for the beach and away from the chaos in the bathroom, which then incites an argument between Rocky and Nick because he accidentally forgot the bag with their swimsuits. Nick, who usually takes things in stride, gets riled up by Rocky’s rebukes about his forgetfulness. Though they are yelling, the scene turns out funny. Rocky criticizes, standing on the edge of the tub hanging onto the shower rod which suddenly pops so she falls on the stinky floor and carelessly smacks Nick with the rod.
Willa yells up to them, ‘‘Are you guys standing around in shit water and fighting?”
Nick looks at Rocky and asks, “How’s your vacation going so far?”
From this point on, things become more comical and emotional as only families can get. After getting the bathroom cleaned up, they depart to the local store to buy new bathing suits, grumbling about Nick forgetting theirs. Willa, a lesbian, chats with the clerk, finding herself a new partner while the rest of the family cavort around the shop cracking jokes and being silly.
The beach is the favored gathering place and while they laze in the sun or splash in the surf, Rocky reminisces over her life and her current situation—menopause. How did she ever get this old? She considers her past regrets and secrets while trying to look forward to her future as an empty nester.
“Menopause feels like a slow leak. Thoughts leaking out of your head; flesh leaking out of your skin; fluid leaking out of your joints. You need a lube job, is how you feel. Body-work. Whatever you need, it sounds like a mechanic might be required, since something is seriously amiss with your head gasket.
“You finally understand the word crepey as it applies to skin—although you could actually apply this word to your ass was well, less in the crepe-paper sense than the flat-pancake one. Activities that might injure you include ping-pong, napping, and opening a tub of Greek yogurt. Your hairline is receding in such a way that, in certain cropped photographs, you look like somebody’s cute, balding uncle. You eat pepperoni pizza and a half hour later, put a hand to your chest, grimacing like a person in an Alka-Seltzer commercial. You set a timer so you’ll remember to take your proton pump inhibitor, and when it goes off, your husband says, ‘It’s reflux-o’clock somewhere!’ You have under-eye bags. Jowls. You reflect on old TV commercials with new understanding, a crocodile slithering around in need of Lubriderm! Same! All the horrors that crept past without you even looking up from your youth to take note of what they even were; they’ve circled back to you.”
When Rocky’s parents arrive, she is ecstatic to see them, yet she learns things from her dad about her past that make her angry at their not being disclosed years ago. However, when she is told about them, she gives her dad some slack despite the seriousness of the situation.
The family bonds well together, despite the small quarters. Fun and laughter overflows until Rocky’s mom faints at the beach and is hospitalized. This brings fear and new insight to Rocky realizing she won’t have her parents forever while also realizing her adult children still need her.
During their time together, confidences are revealed, especially between Rocky and Willa, as well as Maya, which brings them closer to each other. Rocky acknowledges that despite getting older, life goes on and though suffering the difficulties of menopause she reevaluates her life and the love she has for her family.
The chapters illustrate each day of their vacation and are written in the first person in Rocky’s voice giving credence to her hopes, dreams, and expectations. Sandwich is a great title for the novel. There actually is a town on Cape Cod named Sandwich, but the author may have used this title not only because this is an actual town, but to demonstrate Rocky is a member of the “sandwich generation” showing her angst and pleasure of being in the middle. The humorous situations along with serious incidents make this a quick and thought-provoking read.