Notes to John

Didion shares her concerns over Quintana’s job with Dr. MacKinnon. She works as a photographer for a magazine but hopes for a new position with a better salary. Didion fears it’s not the best time for her to be making a change. She’s also worried about Quintana financially. The conversation shifts back to dependency and trust. Dr. MacKinnon reminds Didion that Quintana “isn’t some little girl just out of school” (55). He also suggests that Didion share her vocational insecurities with Quintana, as she probably sees Didion as a success rather than an artist who struggled, too.

Didion and Dr. MacKinnon continue their conversation about dependency and trust. He reminds Didion not to ask Quintana too many questions, lest she feel Didion is pressuring or accusing her. The conversation shifts to Didion’s and John’s families; they both broke away because their families were controlling. Didion admits she wouldn’t have liked her mother questioning her either. She learned to take risks on her own and eventually overcame her fears—especially as they pertained to making public appearances.

After the session, Didion reflects on this conversation. She realizes that the times she was most anxious during public appearances were when her parents were present.