Contents
Chapter Twenty-Four
Overview
Theo pitches private painting sessions for Alicia, and Rowena surprisingly agrees in principle but derides Alicia as unresponsive. Rowena’s jealousy and contempt surface, undermining prior efforts. She relinquishes Alicia to Theo yet refuses support or supplies, raising practical and interpersonal hurdles to Theo’s plan.
Summary
Theo approaches Rowena Hart to propose private painting sessions for Alicia. Rowena immediately calls it a great idea, then asserts Alicia will never participate, branding Alicia the most uncommunicative patient she’s worked with.
In the art room, Rowena vents about Alicia’s silence in group therapy, complaining that Alicia sits before a blank page and sets a bad example. Theo suggests the process may be painful for a serious artist among patients, but Rowena dismisses Alicia’s talent and disparages her work.
Theo recognizes Rowena’s hostility as jealousy and redirects to logistics. Rowena, eager to be rid of Alicia, allows Theo to take over but states her budget won’t cover oils, requiring Theo to supply materials.
The conversation reveals a professional rift: Rowena feels snubbed and invalidates Alicia’s art, while Theo stays diplomatic to secure access. The outcome advances Theo’s plan but introduces practical obstacles and confirms Alicia’s entrenched nonparticipation in art therapy.
Who Appears
- Theo FaberTherapist proposing private painting for Alicia; stays diplomatic, secures permission but must provide materials.
- Rowena HartArt therapist; agrees to the plan yet derides Alicia, shows jealousy, and refuses to supply oils.
- Alicia BerensonSubject of the plan; portrayed by Rowena as unresponsive and refusing to engage in art therapy.