The Hypnotist's Love Story

Driving home from the hospital, Ellen sees the city is covered in orange dust. She worries that she gave Saskia poor advice, but Saskia seemed like someone who lost everything. Ellen tries not to think about Patrick’s confession that he doesn’t love Ellen like he loved Colleen. Ellen thinks, “I don’t love Patrick as much as Saskia does” (334). She decides not to mention any of this to him.

Saskia’s doctor tells her she’s going to need support while she recovers, and she reflects again that she doesn’t have anyone. Saskia calls her place of work and says she hit rock bottom.

Ellen is exhausted when she returns home, and Patrick is angry. Ellen thinks that hating Saskia has given him a bitter edge. Patrick is upset that she visited Saskia and says Ellen is supposed to be on his side. She feels guilty for thinking more about Saskia’s side of things. She tells Patrick what he said while he was near the sleep state. The phone rings.

Ellen panics when she realizes she didn’t meet Lisa, the journalist. She puts off a call from her mother and from Julia. She spirals into worst-case scenarios as she opens the door to Mary-Kate, who looks brighter than usual.