The Leavers

It is now April in New York, and Psychic Hearts, Daniel and Roland’s band, is finding success. Daniel thinks the life he wants is within reach, as he gears up to play another show, but isn’t as pleased as he thought he’d be. He’s lost touch with Angel and his adoptive parents. Daniel also suspects that he is being sidelined by Roland, who is taking all the credit for their work. Roland’s friends also make Daniel feel uncomfortable. Daniel reflects that Roland has always managed to use his difference from the majority as an advantage, while Daniel had been unable to do so. Daniel broaches his displeasure with the band to Roland, which leads to an argument and Roland noting: “Everyone likes you, but you” (168). Daniel remembers Kay’s birthday and calls her. In their conversation, Kay tells him she’s managed to secure him entry into her college’s summer session.

Daniel invites Michael to a show and tells him he called his mother, but that she hasn’t returned his call. Roland reacts to the news negatively, and he and Michael have a tense back and forth: “He wishes he could be cool. He wanted not to care” (170). Daniel’s dissatisfaction was true in Potsdam, too, where he was studying before.