SHE CAME ALONG THE ALLEY AND UP THE BACK STEPS THE WAY she always used to. Doc hadn't seen her for over a year. Nobody had. Back then it was always sandals, bottom half of a flower-print bikini, faded Country Joe & the Fish T-shirt. Tonight she was all in flatland gear, hair a lot shorter than he remembered
In "Inherent Vice," Doc recalls the sudden appearance of a woman who had been absent from his life for over a year. She used to come by his place in a casual and familiar manner, often dressed in light, summertime attire. This evokes memories of her vibrant personality and their past encounters, highlighting the significance of her presence in Doc's life.
However, the woman now arrives with a changed look, dressed in utilitarian clothing and sporting a much shorter hairstyle. This transformation reflects the passage of time and suggests that she may have undergone personal changes, making Doc realize how much he has missed her. The contrast between her past and present selves underscores the novel's themes of loss and nostalgia.
