The Institution

Part of the story takes place in the mental institution where the son resides due to his mental illness and tendencies towards self-harm. The woman and Pete visit the son there on his birthday. The son has lived in the institution for about three years, although the woman hopes that someday he will be healthy enough to be released. During the visit, the son implicitly expresses his displeasure for Pete’s increased absences in the lives of the son and the woman.

The Woman’s House

The woman lives alone in a house. She wishes for Pete to move in with her. At one time, Pete seemed ready to do so, but he withdrew as the son’s mental illness worsened. The woman’s greatest desire is to live in her house with both her son and Pete. After the woman and Pete visit the son, they...