Summary

Marcus’ mother arrives from Newark to visit Marcus in the hospital near Winesburg College. She tells Marcus that his father’s mental state appears to be deteriorating even worse. She says she is worried that he is “losing his mind” (145). She recalls how calm and level-headed he used to be, and she says that he is now scared of an endless number of irrational things. His nervousness and general air of panic have been driving away customers from the butcher shop. She says that his paranoia is driving her insane, and she even says that she feels like she may have no choice but to divorce him, despite the fact that such a thing would be unthinkable in their community.

His mother meets Olivia in Marcus’ hospital room, and Marcus becomes nervous that his mother will see the scar on Olivia’s wrist...