The invisible activity that goes on around Jerry is more than meets the eye.
Rachel Angus finds Jerry strange on many levels. Strange that he doesn't have a full time job. Strange that he does not find her attractive. Strange that he has no friends rallying around him. Because of this she is led to believe that Jerry is a weak man with a fear of commitment. Perhaps even abnormal with repressed feelings inside.
She looks at him, thinking to herself: 'I'm not ready for you yet, but I'm getting ready.' The hidden energy at work below the surface plays a part in his stagnation.
Free from the burden of publishing a novel, Jerry has a breakthrough of perception of Rachel now that he is able to see clearly.