Shark Heart: A Love Story

Part 2 focuses on the story of Wren’s mother, Angela. During the summer of Angela’s 15th birthday, she is living in a dysfunctional household. Her mother has an alcohol addiction, and her father is largely absent, working long hours at his medical practice. Angela does not have many friends at school and is struggling with the changes that puberty has wrought on her body. On the morning of her birthday, Angela’s mother, Colleen, mistakenly wishes her a happy 16th. When Angela corrects her, Colleen tells her, “You’re looking mature for your age. […] You don’t want people to get the wrong idea about you. You’re a good girl” (191). Angela is disturbed by her words, particularly since she is keenly aware that she attracts lots of male attention.

Not wanting to be in the house with her mother too much, Angela begins frequenting a local tennis court. There, she becomes drawn to Marcos, an older man (his age is never specified, but he is implied to be in his late teens or early twenties), who also comes to play tennis on a regular basis. The two begin flirting, and eventually, he invites her to visit his houseboat, informing her that he makes money in the summer by selling off parts of the boat.