The Painted Drum

Faye views Kurt as an arrogant artist, “who believes that he is touched by genius” (50), but she nevertheless fears losing his attention. His visits to New York City make her suspicious that he is seeing another woman, though he laughs at the suggestion. To protect herself from heartbreak, Faye hides her innermost feelings from Kurt and, outside of their passionate, nocturnal trysts, treats him with “manufactured scorn” (15).

After Kendra’s death, Kurt visits Faye every night. He admits that grief fuels his need for her and that there was indeed another woman, but he is finished with her. When he mentions marriage, Faye doubts his sincerity, surmising, “His turning to me in such need is not a true statement of his feelings” (48).

Kurt surprises Faye and Elsie one spring morning by cutting their grass with the lawnmower Faye gifted herself when she turned 50. Faye realizes this is Kurt’s way of openly acknowledging their secret relationship. Later, she finds Kurt and Elsie talking in the kitchen and knows that Elsie supports Kurt’s pursuit of Faye, which enrages her. To prevent Kurt from further insinuating himself into her home life, Faye falsely claims she has hired Kit Tatro, a poor relation of the Tatro family, to mow their lawn.