It came to her that he was going to leave without making love to her. This would mean they had made love for the last time this morning. But that did not count: this morning they did not know it was for the last time. When the door shut behind him, she still could not believe it. "It can't end like this," she said to herself over and over, drumming with her knuckles on her mouth to keep from screaming.
In this poignant moment from Mary McCarthy's "The Group," the character grapples with the painful realization that her partner may leave without a final intimate connection. She reflects on the bittersweet nature of their last encounter, recognizing that they had not anticipated it would be the final moment they would share in such a way. The weight of this realization deepens her emotional turmoil, as she struggles to accept the abruptness of their parting.
As she processes her feelings, the character experiences an overwhelming sense of disbelief and desperation. The act of drumming her knuckles on her mouth symbolizes her effort to contain her anguish. Her repeated assertion that "It can't end like this" highlights her refusal to accept the situation, emphasizing her yearning for a different outcome. This moment captures her vulnerability and the profound impact of endings in relationships.
