The New Yorker, March 18, 1985 P. 44
Kate& Peter were watching"Entertainment Tonight,"on television. Peter held their baby Sam, trying to get him to look at Rod Stewart on the screen. Stewart was announcing that he&Jeff Beck would be reunited for an upcoming tour. Kate& Peter were breaking up&Peter was leaving for California the next day, hoping to find work out there. When he left, Kate realized it was the first day she had to care for Sam by herself. During the 2 months since Sam was born Peter had helped. Peter was an artist who made wind sculptures,but hadn't had a commission in over a year. Kate was an actress& had more success than her husband. She'd worked on the daytime soap"City of Dreams." When they started living together 6 years earlier, Peter was in art school. They were married 3 years ago, while on a trip across the country. Peter had left Kate once before, when he went to a 3-month sculpture workshop. When it ended he came home. Last summer, when Peter said he was leaving again, Kate found out she was pregnant&wanted the baby. Peter offered to stay&help. When it was a boy, Kate hoped he'd decide to stay. Kate cleaned the apartment&got rid of Peter's things that day, changing the message on the answering machine. She took Sam&watched"City of Dreams"with her neighbor Ernie, who was gay. Ernie thought Peter was childish. Ernie, Kate&Sam went on the Staten Island Ferry&to a movie. When Sam cried, Kate breast-fed him, crying herself. When they got home Peter was there, saying"I'm back." Kate said"You'll have to go now." Weeks later he sent a postcard from California saying"I hope you won't be disappointed when I tell you... Jeff Beck has left the Rod Stewart tour." The card was addressed to Sam.
