In New York City in 1893, David Bingham attends a family dinner. David lives with his wealthy grandfather, Nathaniel Bingham, in a beautiful mansion in Washington Square. He has two siblings, John and Eden, who are married with children. John is married to Peter, and Eden is married to Eliza; in this alternative history, marriage equality is normalized and accepted. During the family gathering, Grandfather tells the three siblings his plans for his estate, explaining, “I am telling you so there will be no misinterpretations, no speculations” (7). Grandfather reiterates that he will divide his wealth and shares in his company equally among them; then he explains how he intends to pass along the multiple properties he owns. David is going to inherit the Washington Square house. After the announcement, the gathering quickly disbands.

After the dinner, David has a restless night and wakes up late the next morning. He often finds Mondays difficult because he doesn’t have a career; he does some work for the Bingham family foundation and also volunteers, but “the rest of the time he was alone and purposeless” (11). David goes for a walk to ponder the news that he will inherit the Washington Square house.