"A Serious Talk", is a story of a divorced couple, Vera and Burt; Vera lives with their children in her home that was once theirs, and Burt frequently visits despite Vera's clear indication that she does not want him there. Vera has established a new life with different friends and a new love interest, while Burt lives as though they are still together, not able to let go. The story begins as Burt pulls into the driveway of Vera's house. Carver reflects back to the previous night, when Burt had entered the house with Christmas presents for his children and ex-wife, and they all exchange gifts. Burt sits down in his old chair and feels a sense of normalcy, he "liked it where he was. He liked it in front of the fireplace,

a glass in his hand, his house, his home" (Carver 163). Burt then walks toward the fireplace and throws five sawdust logs in it and darts for the patio door, taking six pies that the author describes as: "one for every ten times she had ever betrayed him" (Carver 163), showing how Burt is aware of his actions, and linking them to reasoning. Burt is not the only one encountering problems with change, Vera also has her own set of them.

Although it is still the morning, Burt asks for a drink and fetches a glass of vodka for himself. After getting his drink, Burt apologizes again as Vera heads to the bathroom. The phone rings twice and Burt picks up. The person asks for "Charlie" both times, and Burt tells them he's not here. Being that no "Charlie" was mentioned in the story, there are three possibilities; it could be a wrong number, it could be for his son whose name could be "Charlie" though it was not mentioned, or maybe it could be the name Vera told her boyfriend to use if a man answers the phone knowing it would be Burt. Shortly after this incident, the phone rings again and Burt picks up then gives it to Vera. She tells him to hang up the phone when she picks up the other line in her bedroom. Burt takes the phone from her, and after hearing a man clear his throat on the phone, he cuts the wire and the phone goes dead. Vera heads back to the kitchen confused, and discovers the cut wire. At this point she attacks him with threats of calling the police and obtaining a restraining order, and then throws him out of the ho

Some common words found in the essay are:
Burt Vera, Burt Shortly, Serious Talk, serious talk, House Inc, Raymond Carver, previous night burt, charlie mentioned, carver 163 burt, talk burt, burt picks, phone rings, 163 burt, vera heads, carver 163, house carver, taking ashtray,
Approximate Word count = 1033
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)