Summary

In Chapter 13, Alex arrives in Victor’s hospital room and simply stands by the bedside to look at him. Barbra has strongly encouraged Alex to verbalize love and forgiveness to Victor. Barbra said that she always regretted not telling her own dysfunctional father that she forgave him before he died. Alex says aloud to the comatose Victor that she loves and forgives him, but she knows that she neither loves nor forgives him. Alex then enumerates some of the ways in which Victor hurt her, such as openly objectifying women, which caused Alex to always be extremely self-conscious about her appearance. Victor was also verbally and physically abusive towards Alex and Gary, which has caused deep lasting trauma for both Alex and Gary. Alex then says that she forgives him for everything, but she tells Barbra that she does not feel better, and Barbra...