The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence, illness, and death.

Irving asks Shirley for ideas for a birthday present for Augusta. Shirley says if Irving is crazy about her, he ought to do something about it. Irving calls Nathaniel to make peace and discovers Nathaniel doesn’t remember much about that night at Acadia Gardens. Irving reveals that he meant to ask Augusta to marry him, but Nathaniel upstaged him by proposing to Evie first. Nathaniel recalls drinking the whiskey in Irving’s flask. He asks for Irving’s forgiveness and wonders what happened afterward with Augusta. However, Irving isn’t ready to discuss it, even though he doesn’t want to keep making the same mistakes.

For her 18th birthday, Irving buys Augusta a rhinestone pendant from a street vendor. It breaks immediately, which frustrates Irving, who is still poor and hungry. Looking for an extra job, he goes to Zip Diamond’s house. Lois answers the door. She tells him everyone wants something from her father and wonders what Irving is willing to do.

On her birthday, Augusta wakes to find Jackie making chicken noodle soup, just like Esther. She receives a bouquet of flowers and runs after Irving to confront him about it.