The Other #5

As the story continues, it seems that in some way or another, dysfuncton follows Neil wherever he goes. In this instance, one of his new travel companions Erin has bipolar disorder and had been removed from school in order to protect her mental health. Jamie tells Neil about her sister's problems when she recalls, "an art-history administrator called Jamie and, in a calm, even assiduous voice, explained that Erin was having psychological difficulties, which at the moment consisted of lying despondently in bed"(59). This reminds the reader of the difficulties that Neil suffered with his mother's tumor and ensuing mental issues, and explains one of the reasons why he feels so affilial with Jamie. They both have dealt with the responsibility of caring for another who cannot care for themselves. Neil's process of falling in love with Jamie continues when he, in a slightly less than sober state, speaks with her about his entire life and ambitions as he had not spoken to her of before. Neil states, "In the end, I talked too much about myself. I told Jamie that I was going to be a writer. I celebrated train travel. The next day, on the trail-because a trail is good for privacy of thought, even when you're with other hikers- I felt ashamed of my garrulousness"(61). Because Neil worries so much about what Jamie thinks of him, we can see his character developed much more as a slightly co-dependent and worrisome person, because he cannot just be confident that this woman will like him for what he tells her about himself, not what he hides from her.

Later in the story the author switches time periods to when the two have already been married. Through Neil's description of his relationship with his wife, we visualize a rather odd couple. The two are not terribly affectionate, nor would many people see them as in love, but yet their everyday routines and quirks seem to draw them closer no matter their lack of romanticism. When the subject of Neil's life insurance money from his mother came into question, a normally difficult discussion seemed to do nothing to hurt their relationship because of their similarities. Neil says, "One thing: Jamie and I never argued about money. I'm frugal to a fault and so is she" (62). This characteristic coincides very well with what we already know about the two, that they are avid outdoorspeople and love to live on the little they have for the thrill of it. This important similarity identifies another reason why the two can be so happy together without the need of a continuous romantic spark. Their ideas on romanticism in their relationship are made evident when Neil comments on revisting the site of their matrimonial ceremony. He says, "You would think that sitting sheltered from the rain in the gazebo where you were married woulld feel romantic, and it does, but the fact that it feels romantic no longer seems, to either of us, important" (62). Their complete satisfaction with just remaining together happy but without the excitement of newlyweds shows the couple's devotion to one another and shows the reader how the things that both Neil and Jamie have had to face make them the perfect two compatible for each other.