Summary

The short story “A Serious Talk” by Raymond Carver follows Burt, who visits his wife, Vera, the day after Christmas to explain his behavior from the previous day. On Christmas Day, Burt visited his family and brought gifts. Vera told him that he had to leave before six o’clock, when Vera’s friend and his children would come to visit. After watching his daughter set the table, Burt put too many logs on the fire and stole the six pies he found on the sideboard. 

The day after Christmas, Burt comes to the house, but Vera does not want to talk to him. She accuses him of wanting to burn the house down the previous day, but he denies her accusations. She also reminds him of Thanksgiving, when Burt ruined the holiday. Vera lets him inside the house...