In John Cheever's "The Stories of John Cheever," a poignant moment occurs when characters find themselves outside Percy's old house in the rain. This setting emphasizes a shared bond that transcends traditional ties of family or love. Instead, they feel a connection grounded in a mutual understanding of life's adversities.

This sense of hostility from the world shapes their experience, suggesting that sometimes people come together not through positive emotions but through shared struggles. Cheever captures the complexity of human relationships and the ways in which individuals can find solidarity in the face of life's challenges.