The weary depression burns throughout, whether due to impatience or the loss of sexual companion. "Sensitivity was in my heart, not my hands" without the physical attachment I'd rather leave you with a stain, a burden knowing it would cause you to never let go of me.
The word "dilemma" is the only word I could recall. One's own dilemma caused by somebody else's dilemma. Dilemma pushes dilemma so that life moves on. The picture is so Auster. The people, the dialogue, the plot and even the room where Paul taps on his typewriter.