Summary

In Part III, Chapter 21, when John "left the Apelles for Roosevelt Hospital," Erwin insisted upon accompanying him (251). He was curious to know what was going on with Albert. He and Albert knew each other. Erwin knew about Albert's suicide plan, too. Feeling guilty, he did not tell John. At the hospital, the men waited while someone went in search of Albert.

They talked about Albert. John was convinced his father's supposed illness was just "a way to torture the family" (256). Eventually Erwin admitted that he and Albert had weekly visits. Though Albert did not talk about John, he did talk about John's son. Erwin explained that Albert enlisted him as an aid. He wanted Erwin to give him a weekly memory test. On the day he forgot the date his grandson died, he planned to kill himself. John listened, then began...