Fire Exit

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness and death.

Mary and Elizabeth stop showing up to the hospital where Elizabeth and Louise undergo their ECT treatments, and Charles worries. After one of Louise’s treatments, during which he unsuccessfully tries to convince the hospital representative that he is Elizabeth’s father and should be informed of any changes to her condition, he decides to ask Mary what’s wrong. He shows up at Mary’s work, and she is angry. She refuses to provide him with any information other than to say that Elizabeth is not back at her home but also no longer staying with them. He drives by Elizabeth’s house, and it is indeed dark and empty. 

Bobby’s court date arrives, and Charles accompanies him. Bobby is given a fine and six months’ probation. Charles is happy that his friend did not receive jail time, but he remains preoccupied with thoughts of his daughter.

Elizabeth finally returns home. Charles sees her shoveling outside her parents’ house one day. When she finishes, he watches her grab a folding chair out of their shed and open it in the middle of the driveway.