While Eric recovers in the hospital he enjoys media attention and plenty of visitors. One of the more unexpected visitors is Mark Brittian, who comes to apologize to Eric for the way he treated him in the past. Eric gets a visit from Ms. Lemry too, who tells Eric about the trip to Reno. Though they were able to locate Sarah’s mother it did not end as hoped. Sarah’s mother was not interested in taking up the maternal role she’d abandoned years before. Watching Sarah’s rejection triggers Ms. Lemry’s memories of childhood rejection, less traumatic but still wounding, and Ms. Lemry tells Eric that she’s amazed Sarah has survived all she’s been through.

While he waits to be released from the hospital, Eric is visited again by Mark Brittian, who asks Eric’s advice on how to brave the experience of returning to school when everyone knows about his suicide attempt. Eric tells him to simply own it, the way Eric learned to own his body and his weight. Mark also confides in Eric that he’s been talking with Mr. Ellerby and is now contemplating a less rigid and judgmental brand of Christianity.