Why is the hospital an important setting in the novel, The Two-Family House?

The family members are at the hospital twice. The hospital setting becomes important because of the events that take place there. When Teddy is at the hospital, Helen and Rose voice their feelings toward each other for the first time. When Abe is at the hospital, Helen fears that Abe overheard the argument she had with Rose and that he now knows that they switched the babies.

The hospital parking lot symbolizes Mort's changing attitudes. When Mort takes Teddy to the hospital, he drives around searching for a cheaper place to park in order to save some money. The money is more important than being with Teddy. When Abe has a heart attack, Mort drives directly into the hospital parking lot, willing to pay the price in order to be near Abe and the rest of the family.