Chapter 6 Summary

Over cocktails, Tom and Dr. Lowenstein continue their conversation. Tom wonders why a beautiful, obviously wealthy woman like the one in the doctor's office should have problems. He had long thought that his former student was miserable because of her plainness. Dr. Lowenstein puts him straight by saying that the beautiful woman's problems are as real to her as the student's problems or Savannah's problems are real to them.

Dr. Lowenstein tells Tom that she has spoken with Lila over the phone. The doctor feels Lila is sincerely concerned for Savannah and Tom. Lila did not, however, mention Luke while talking to the doctor. Tom is not surprised. Luke is in the forbidden world to the family, and Tom tells the doctor to "observe Luke carefully" as he tells the family history. (Page 144)

Tom continues with a long tale of his Grandmother Tolitha...