The Golden Notebook

Tommy survives the self-inflicted wound, though it has damaged the optic nerve; he will be permanently blind. He takes the news in stride, and all evidence of the emotional disturbance that drove him to commit his nearly fatal act appears to be gone. Instead, he is slow and careful and controlling. He refuses the offer of a halfway house or rehabilitation and moves back home with Molly. His moods and needs dominate the household. Anna rarely visits anymore, though Marion comes over frequently to spend time with Tommy. They talk about politics. Marion, it seems, has quit drinking.

Richard invites Anna to his office to have a talk. Anna dreads it, but she meets with him anyway. Richard has taken up with his secretary, and he wants to leave Marion—though he complains bitterly that she has already left him. Anna tells him that Marion probably will not mind; she thinks that Richard should offer to pay for Tommy and Marion to go abroad for a while. She believes that Tommy will take a job with Richard after this if Richard is gentle with him. Richard is furious at the situation, and he blocks Anna’s exit for a moment.

When she finally takes her leave of Richard, Anna finds herself having a panic attack in the underground.