A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Johnny goes on a bender for his 21st birthday, finally pushing Katie over the edge. She locks him in a room and tells him to sober up. Due to his delirium tremens, he is loud and impervious, drawing concern from the neighbors. Katie stands her ground but asks Sissy for help. Sissy agrees but says Katie must leave her alone with Johnny for one night. Katie assents, and Sissy comes over and disappears into the room with Johnny. She offers him a bottle of whiskey slowly through the night, allowing him to weep on her until the morning, when she exits the room to talk to Katie.

Katie immediately assumes that Sissy has slept with Johnny, and she says as much upon Sissy’s arrival, but Sissy denies it. Sissy threatens to sleep with him, however, if Katie continues to “nag” him. She tells Katie she has to accept that he is an alcoholic and love him anyway. Katie says she will do this but knows “[i]n her heart” she will not be able to let this flaw go (103).