Chapter 18: A Family Affair Summary and Analysis

When Fern refuses to leave her minister husband, Deidre feels the need for find a new girlfriend. She quickly finds Dorothy, a much younger woman with a significant income from her trust fund. Dorothy appears to be supportive and accepting of Deidre in her madness.

One particularly severe case of insanity lands Deidre in the mental hospital, where she meets Cesar. She brings him home to live with her and Deidre. They learn that Cesar also suffers from insanity and, furthermore, runs from the police. While Cesar stays at his mother's, Augusten never feels at home there. When Cesar tries to molest Augusten, Deidre kicks him out in a rare show of motherly protection.

Cesar, now a patient of Dr. Finch, becomes attracted to Natalie, who sleeps with him for money while he stays at...