Chapter 12 Summary

Laura Brown drives her Chevrolet in a state of dream-like awareness. She's bought herself a few hours of freedom by dropping her son off at a neighbor's house, pleading last-minute errands for her husband's birthday. She's fulfilled all of her wifely duties for the afternoon and will allow herself some time away to think about the kiss and the cake. The kiss doesn't bother her; in fact, she imagines, briefly, a life of love with Kitty. Although, Laura knows that she's tipped her hand, given Kitty insight into who Laura really is, which makes Laura feel powerless. The cake is what really bothers her; it signifies her failure to achieve transcendence through the life she's chosen.

When she arrives at the downtown area of the city, she considers her options. She has no desire to be around people, and she ultimately decides to...