The New York Times
- Truman visits Meridian for the first time about three years after he gets married. Although he "begged her [...] to give him another chance," Meridian refuses him (2.18.1).
- Meridian tears him a new one, saying that he rejected her because he knew she wasn't a virgin and had a son. She claims that she was born too poor to have the "worldly experiences" he had so desired back then (2.18.22).
- In fact, this is all true. Truman could tell that she wasn't a virgin after they slept together. Later, he found out about her marriage and child.
- Although he now realizes that he built up a fake image of Meridian in his head, he can't help but visit her whenever possible.