A risky affair

 

In the beginning of the 3rd quarter, we learn that Offred and the Commander made an arrangement. Like the last time when she came to his office for a game of Scrabble, Offred has to visit the Commander two or three nights a week, only after dinner, when she get a signal from Nick. If Nick’s hat is on askew or not on his head when she comes back after shopping, she has to go. On the other hand, if Nick isn’t there or if he has his hat on straight, Offred stays in her room as usual. Of course, on Ceremony nights, none of these rules applies. We can easily see it’s a bit risky because of the Commander’s Wife. Offred has to be very quiet when she sneak along the hall. The more often they meet, the more they learn to know each other. Offred doesn’t hesitate when she wants to ask questions to the Commander, and when she asks, he listens to her and satisfies her curiosity. On the third night they were meeting, Offred asked if she could have hand or face lotion. At first, the Commander didn’t seem to understand why she wanted the product, but at the end he said he was going to buy some for her.

Unfortunately, when the next Ceremony night came two or three weeks later, things weren’t like before for Offred. She normally treats the Ceremony like it is a job she needs to do as fast as possible, but this time she felt awkwardness in the air… She felt shy of the Commander. She realized he was no longer a “thing” to her. Serena Joy also changed for her. She hated her since the beginning of all of this, but now she also felt guilty about her because she feels like an intruder.

Later, Offred is walking with Ofglen. They are now more comfortable with one another, and Offred even tells us they are like Siamese twins. When they greet each other, they don't bother much with the formalities anymore. They smile and move off along their daily track. They talk when no one is near them, and they are surprised to learn that they aren't true believers of the Republic.

 

At the end of the 3rd quarter of the novel, Offred meet with Serena Joy. The Wife asks her if she feels any pregnancy symptoms, but Offred answer she hasn't had anything yet. They talk a little bit and Serena says maybe the Commander is the problem, maybe he can't procreate. She suggests trying another way. Offred doesn't understand and asks her what does she mean by that. Even if it's against the law, Serena asks the Handmaid if she wants to try with another man. Since he's loyal and has been with them for a long time, Serena says she was thinking of Nick. The Handmaid accepts and the Wife tells her she can give her a picture of her daughter. Offred is angry because Serena didn't give her any news about her family.