A poet informed her workshop students that she might not return the following week. Later, feeling reflective, she donned her late mother’s vintage fur coat and retreated to her garage, where she poured herself a glass of vodka. This moment is rich with symbolism and serves as a poignant detail that writing instructors often emphasize as crucial for great storytelling. The coat represents personal history and emotional complexity, elements often overlooked in student writing.

While in her garage, the poet climbed into her eye-catching 1967 tomato-red Cougar and turned on the ignition. This vintage car, like the fur coat, is a significant detail that underscores her individuality and possibly her struggles. Nunez cleverly weaves together these elements to illustrate the depth of her protagonist's experience, reminding readers of the power of small details in crafting compelling narratives and connecting with life’s rich tapestry.