[trgn]

It's also the consequence of being shackled to a literary technique common to these long form articles, for authors to write themselves into the piece, in order to make the content more relatable to the audience. It's a form of exhibitionism, where the author has to come up with something recognizable, but not too revealing or truly heart wrecking. Something milquetoast form adolescence will do in a pinch.

I am sure these sort of confessionals used to come across as audacious. Now, it's just a tired trope of the format.

[charlieo88]

I think the proper form would have been to pause the Sheila narrative at the Edna reveal, and then at the very end of the story, have the 50 years later meeting as the wrapper.

[trgn]

haha, yes, you're right!

fwiw - I also wanted to know what happened there right after their encounter.

[a0-prw]

I couldn't agree with you more. I usually stop reading this format immediately. Got about 2/3 of the way through.