The narrator wakes up to a painful headache and an unpleasant dry mouth, reflecting the aftermath of a previous night's decisions or experiences. This imagery conveys a sense of discomfort and loneliness, suggesting that the night's events may have led to feelings of regret or solitude.
Roxane Gay's work "Difficult Women" explores complex emotions and the challenges faced by women in various situations. The opening scene sets the tone for the themes of struggle and introspection that permeate the book, as the narrator grapples with the physical and emotional consequences of her actions.