Chapter 9 Summary

Doc enters Pat's room and is obviously upset to find Lila inside. He gruffly orders her to leave and she responds by flinging her drink in his face and storming from the room. Pat is embarrassed for Doc's emasculation and Doc seems confused and humiliated. Doc cleans up in Pat's bathroom and then the two men share drinks. Doc delivers a long and somewhat rambling account of his previous life which, he states, should help Pat to understand why he is being so generous.

Long ago Doc had been a psychology professor at a community college. He had conducted a sexual affair with one of his students, Lila. In order to retain Lila's student funding, as well as his position, they had kept their relationship a secret and eventually married in a private ceremony. Lila soon became pregnant, but hid her pregnancy for...