1

When Tatiana’s family comes to see her at the hospital, Tatiana feels unable to tell them what she actually saw and experienced. She is glad when the nurse tells them to leave. Dasha lingers, asking about Pasha and Alexander. Afterwards, Alexander visits. He is worried about Tatiana but upset that she has still been seeing Dimitri.

The nurses inform Tatiana she will remain hospitalized until mid-August. Tatiana spends her days reflecting on life and intermittently visiting with her family. One day, Alexander stops by and expresses concern about her family learning about his visits.

2

The following week, Tatiana wakes up to find Alexander leaning over her and comforting her. It is late and he has been out drinking. They hug and kiss, Alexander crawling onto the bed beside her. Then they engage in oral sex and sexual foreplay. Tatiana is overwhelmed by feeling, never having expected anything like this in her life.

The next day, however, Alexander is cold and removed. He insists last night was a mistake and he was drunk. A tearful Tatiana remains silent.

3

In August, Deda and Babushka visit Tatiana in the hospital, informing her they are leaving Leningrad. Dasha won’t go with them as planned, because she doesn’t want to leave Tatiana. That evening, Dasha, Alexander, and Dimitri come by to see Tatiana. Alexander talks grimly about the war, insisting they won’t be safe anywhere in a month’s time.

4

Tatiana feels even more miserable when she returns home from the hospital. Deda and Babushka are gone and it’s hard to watch Alexander with Dasha. Over the following days, he and Dimitri start coming by for regular dinners with the family. Tatiana is still on crutches and feels trapped. She fears even looking at Alexander lest she reveal her feelings. Meanwhile, she devotes her energies to learning to cook. She continues hanging out with Dimitri, Dasha, and Alexander but can’t stand Dimitri.

One night, Dimitri insists on taking Tatiana up to the roof while Dasha and Alexander hang out in the bedroom. Dimitri expresses his upset that he and Tatiana haven’t been intimate yet, pressuring her to give him more. Cold and irritated, Tatiana wishes she could get away from him and feels irritated that Alexander allegedly gave him his Leningrad assignment. Later, she and Alexander argue about the matter.

The next day, Tatiana returns to Grechesky Hospital for a checkup and asks her nurse for a job. The nurse agrees to give her a nursing position. However, Tatiana’s parents are furious when they learn the news that night. A volatile altercation ensues, where Tatiana blames an intoxicated Georgi for Pasha’s death. Georgi slaps her across the face, making her nose bleed. Alexander is present and tries interceding, but Georgi throws him out. Dasha lashes out at Alexander, too, furious that he is defending Tatiana. The couple argues, Tatiana listening in through the wall.

Afterwards, Alexander talks to Tatiana alone, convinced Georgi has been drinking too much of late. Dasha interrupts, furious with both of them. Meanwhile, Dimitri does nothing. Alone later, Tatiana struggles to make sense of her feelings.

5

In the barracks that night, Dimitri confronts Alexander about his relationship with Tatiana, insisting he stay away from her. Alexander feigns confusion. Dimitri goes on to say he is falling in love with Tatiana and is now determined to survive the war because of her. An argument ensues, waking their fellow bunkmate, who teases Alexander for saying a girl’s name in his sleep every night.

6

Alexander comes to see Tatiana the next morning, informing her the Germans have taken Mga and warning her about going to work. Tatiana insists she has to keep working because she feels disconnected from the war otherwise. Before parting ways, Alexander insists they meet at St. Isaac’s that night so he can tell her something about Dimitri. He holds her close and professes his intense feelings for her.

Marina comes by to see Tatiana that afternoon. They two catch up, but Tatiana finds herself incapable of sharing anything real with her cousin. Marina then explains that her father is missing, her mother is sick, and she is all alone. Tatiana invites her to come and live with her family, assuring Marina that her parents and sister won’t mind. Then they talk about men and relationships, Marina insisting that all soldiers care about is sex.

Later, Tatiana goes to St. Isaac’s to meet Alexander. Once alone, they kiss and touch. Alexander vows that Tatiana is all he wants but Tatiana is afraid. Noticing her upset, Alexander insists she talk to him before he tells her about Dimitri. She opens up about her conversation with Marina. Alexander promises that he cares about Tatiana more than anyone and not just for sex.

Then Alexander tells Tatiana about Dimitri. After his parents were captured years prior, Alexander had the chance to see his father one last time. He made the choice to befriend Dimitri because his dad “was a prison guard” (263) where Harold was interned. Now he is indebted to Dimitri, although he finds him distasteful. This is why Alexander did nothing when Dimitri expressed his interest in Tatiana. Tatiana insists that Dimitri doesn’t really like her; what he wants is power over Alexander. After the intimate conversation, Tatiana considers professing her love to Alexander, but remains silent.

7

The Metanovs finally receive an official telegram informing them of Pasha’s death. Alexander comes over but the family barely talks or eats. Tatiana and Alexander covertly encourage one another not to lose heart.