Summary

Don thinks about his childhood, and he feels that he never made a full and confident transition to adulthood. The narration then reveals that Don is bisexual. Don hides this fact from people and feels ashamed of it. Don then thinks about the number of times he has promised doctors and family members that he would stop drinking. In the past years, Don has been unable to remain sober for any prolonged period of time. Don recalls a recent time when Wick sent him to live at a farm upstate for the winter. The owners of the farm—Mr. and Mrs. Hansen—were tasked with keeping Don sober, but Don eventually broke into their locked store of liquor. Don sees the time and realizes that, although it is early in the morning, some bars might be open soon.

At 8:00 AM, he goes to a...