Kay McCall
Kay McCall is a former designer who married rich, divorced richer, and discovered feminist politics in 1972. She is a wealthy woman with a townhouse, a place in the country, and several lovers. She is the author of three books on feminism and the working woman, the family, and spirituality. She is a close friend of Beverly Rogan, whom she has known for nine or ten years.
Role in Beverly's Escape
When Beverly calls Kay in the middle of the night after fleeing Tom, Kay immediately offers help, exclaiming, "Good! Finally! Hurray!" and calling Tom "that son of a bitch" and "that piece of shit." She pays for Beverly's cab, tips the driver generously, and takes Beverly into her home. She examines Beverly's injuries, Mercurochroming her cut foot and putting a Band-Aid on it, and pours brandy into her coffee. She cooks them each a rare strip steak with sautéed mushrooms. Kay is furious when Beverly tries to blame herself for the abuse, slamming her hand on the table and saying, "If I hear you say it was your fault one more time, I'm going to puke." She tells Beverly that her friends thought Tom would eventually put her in a body cast or kill her. Kay gives Beverly a check for a thousand dollars, which Beverly cashes promptly. Kay also gives Beverly a pair of shoes.
Beating by Tom Rogan
After Beverly leaves, Tom Rogan calls Kay, pretending to be calm and asking about his wife. When Kay says she hasn't seen Beverly, Tom arrives at Kay's door, having beaten the information out of her. He punches Kay in the face, breaking her nose and blackening her eye. He dislocates her shoulder and threatens to cut her face with a broken vase. Kay eventually tells Tom that Beverly went to Derry, Maine. After Tom leaves, Kay calls the police but hangs up before speaking, terrified of Tom's threats. She then calls directory assistance for Derry, Maine, and gets the numbers for every hotel and motel in town. She calls the Derry Town House and leaves a message for Beverly to call her back, no matter how late it is. She takes Valium and waits for sleep, thinking, "I'm sorry, Bev... watch out for the crazy son of a bitch you married."
