Esther continues to have contact with Joan, who she interrupts in a lesbian embrace with another patient. Joan eventually moves into an apartment, becoming roommates with a nurse from the hospital. Esther agrees to come visit Joan in the new apartment, although has no intention of following through. With Dr. Nolan's help, Esther purchases a diaphragm, which frees her from the fear of pregnancy should she decide to lose her virginity. That day, she meets a man named Irwin, a bookish 26-year-old math professor; they end up at Irwin's home, where they make love. Following intercourse, Esther finds she is hemorrhaging heavily. She asks Irwin to drop her off at Joan's apartment, and Joan takes her to the emergency room where she is treated.
Joan soon moves out of her apartment and returns to the hospital. One morning, Joan's psychiatrist comes to see Esther to tell her that Joan has not returned from the previous evening; Esther is asked if she has any idea where Joan might be. Esther doesn't. Later, Joan's body is found in the woods; she has hanged herself. Buddy Willard comes to the hospital to visit Esther, and asks whether there is something about him that drives women crazy, as both Esther and Joan ended up in a mental hospital after being with him.
The novel ends somewhat openly, with Esther stepping into a room in the hospital where she will be interviewed to determine whether she can leave the hospital and return to college.
