Chapters 3-5 Summary

In chapter 3, Ballard is taken to the hospital where he is treated for his many injuries. Ballard has injured his knees and has an imprint of the steering wheel on his chest. Ballard studies these injuries, imagining the car has become a part of him, leaving its imprint on his body. Ballard's wife, Catherine, comes to the hospital to visit him often. Ballard is amused by his wife's behavior because their marriage had been stale, the only excitement taking place when Ballard would question his wife about her latest affair. Catherine tells Ballard the name of the woman in the other car, Dr. Helen Remington, but refuses to tell him anything about the woman's husband who died in the crash. Catherine also tells Ballard that his car has been taken to the police impound. As Catherine visits with him, Ballard finds...