Part 2/5:
In her memoir, Shriver recasts the story of her romance with Arnold, recounting their first meeting in 1977 where she was instantly struck by his charm and charisma. In a poem aptly titled "At First Love," she nostalgically captures that magical moment, describing Arnold’s smile and laughter which enveloped her in a whirlwind of immediate attraction. Shriver writes, "He smiled laughed looked you up and down. It happened before you knew and then you did."
However, this intoxicating beginning fades into a darker narrative as the years unfold, leading to profound emotional turmoil.