The answer to this question can be found in Chapter Seven
of this great novel. John describes the way that he was able to leave his house easily
in order to meet Lorraine and go to Mr. Pignati's house. The poor relationship he has
with his father gives him ample reason to be able to leave home and walk off in anger,
and this is what happens when his father, nicknamed "the Bore" by his son, starts
getting at John over the dinner table. His mother's normal reaction to such events is to
leave, as is shown when John explains her actions:
"I have to get the dessert," the Old Lady said,
violently polishing a teaspoon and dashing out to the kitchen. She always gets terrified
if it looks like my father and I are going to have any type of
discussion.
Thus, ostensibly,
John's mother leaves the table to fetch dessert, but really, we know that she cannot
handle any overt conflict between her husband and son, and as a result leaves the table
to avoid witnessing yet another fight between them.
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