Summary

Chapter 17 opens with Carrie having been gone for a couple weeks. She cannot bear thinking of Mike wondering about her as he lies in his hospital bed. She calls and tells her mother where she is. They discuss money and Carrie tells her she is okay. She also tells her mother that she feels guilty and that she thinks she is a bad person. Her mother explains that she already is who she is. Carrie begins to wonder if she abandoned everyone because she is like her father.

A few days later, Carrie calls and talks to Mike. She thinks that he sounds happier than he had in some time. When she later discusses it with Kilroy, Kilroy wonders if she wishes Mike had been more upset about her going or that he should be thinking about it.

Chapter 18 gives details about...