The Sea in Winter

As Jack drives to Port Angeles to take Maisie to the hospital, the pain in her knee persists. Connor wants to go with her, but their mother keeps him outside. She tells Maisie that she will overcome this setback. Jack carries Maisie into the hospital. Maisie watches Connor’s “worried face” as she goes.

The doctors say that Maisie is lucky; her tendon was not detached again, but it is strained. She has also damaged some tendons in her knee. Jack explains that her first injury happened in ballet. The nurse expresses her condolences, and Maisie feels so bad about the conversation that she wants to “disappear.” She feels “checked out” from the adult discussion about examinations and recovery steps. As she undergoes a medical examination, she still feels “discomfort” as she thinks about the reality of her life.

As Maisie is waiting to be discharged, her family comes into the room, but she cannot speak. She thinks that they will go to the Elwha River the next day, but Jack announces that they are returning to Seattle. He stresses that her recovery is more important. Maisie feels bad about causing them to postpone their trip.

Maisie observes her mother on her phone and grows angry with her.