36
attractive quality is he will have much money if the investment goes well. The unattractive is he will be bankrupt if the investment is failed. The desire to have much
money became his consideration to approach the conflict. A year after my mother died, I did the dumbest thing I’ve ever done
financially. I let a saleswoman talk to me into an investment scheme. She was young and good-looking in that confidence, breezy, two-buttons-
undone fashion that makes an older feel bitter when she walks past him- unless, of course, she speaks to him. Then he gets stupid 4.
Chick’s investment does not go well. He has some meetings with the saleswoman but it gives nothing. Chick actually knows that there is something improper.
However, he ignores it. He is astonished with the saleswoman’s physical appearance. Her perfume makes him lose his mind. He gives his savings to that woman. In fact,
he does not get anything from the investment. The saleswoman deceives him. She moves to West Coast with Chick’s money. As a result, the failure of the investment
gives a new problem for him. He has to explain to his wife about the money
investment. We meet three times to discuss the proposal: twice at her office, once in a
Greek restaurant, nothing improper, but by the time her perfume cleared my head, I’d put most of savings in a now-worthless stock fund. She
quickly got “transferred” to the West Coast. I had to explain to my wife, Catherine, where the money went 4-5.
b. Chick’s Decision about His Divorce
Chick’s foolishness in making an investment makes him live in a deep sorrow with his family. He often fights with his wife because of money. Catherine is tired
with him. She cannot hold that anymore. However, Chick cannot blame her because
37
he feels it is his fault. His marriage is finally collapse although he actually does not want it. However, he cannot defend his marriage. Therefore, Chick and Catherine
finally live separately. He is very ashamed with his divorce. He moves to an apartment by himself 5.
Money became a problem; Catherine and I fought constantly about it. And, over time, our marriage collapsed. She grew tired of my misery and I
can’t say I blame her. When you’re rotten about yourself, you become rotten to everyone else, even those you love. One night she found me on
the basement floor with my lip cut, cradling a baseball glove p. 5.
The conflict that Chick faces is approach-avoidance. This conflict has only one goal which is defending the marriage. Furthermore, this conflict has attractive and
unattractive aspects. Chick has to choose whether or not he divorce Catherine. If he divorces Catherine, he will be in his misery because he still needs and loves her.
However, if he does not divorce Catherine, she will be angry and sad because she does not love and need Chick anymore. She wants a better life by having divorce
from him.
c. Suicide
Chick cannot hold his problem anymore. Therefore, he decides to end his life. One night in October, he makes a decision that he will end his life. He feels very
depressed in facing his problem. He still cannot believe that a man like him who has ever been an athlete will try to end his life.
And one night, in early October, I decided to kill myself. Maybe you’re surprised. Maybe you figure men like me, men who play in a World
Series, can ever sink as low as suicide because they always have, at the very least, that “dream came true” thing 6.
38
Chick decides to end his life because he cannot hold his problems anymore. He decides to go home to Pepperville Beach, in which he grows up. He is very confused
before doing his action. He moves around his apartment. He walks in circles before deciding to go. Finally, he takes his gun and wants to end his life using his gun 11.
This conflict is an avoidance-avoidance conflict. The conflict has only unattractive goals, ending his life or staying alive. The two choices will not give any
advantages for him. If he chooses to end his life, he will die and will not meet. If he does not end his life, he will face his problems that he feels he cannot hold that
anymore. He feels that he does not have any better choice. Every choice cannot bring his happiness back.
d. Chick’s Mother’s Request
