Chapter 7 Summary

Not only is the Karr family undergoing emotional strain, but they are also under a lot of financial stress as well. Pete manages to keep up with the mortgage payments, but he struggles to pay the food and drug bills. Mary remembers the weekly visits her father would make to the pharmacy to pay off part of his debt. On the evenings that Pete wasn't working, he would spread out all of his receipts and study which were paid and which were not. Charlie involves herself in drinking, reading and/or crying throughout all of this. The chasm between Pete and Charlie only deepens.

The family also endures a collective case of insomnia during this time. Each member walks around the house in various states of undress, so as to more easily slip into a nap if the feeling overcomes them. Charlie might...