The word 'intimately' connotes that their relationship reached the point of closed and friendly contact to the extent that it was physical. This is a side that usually isn't expressed to the reader due to the fact that Holden doesn't spend much time with any specific person throughout the book unless he is involved through a sport with them. .
Furthermore, it is expressed in Holden's job as fencing team manager that he can only connect with one other person at a time through sports. "I was the goddamn manager of the fencing team. Very big dealI left all the foils and equipment and stuff on the goddamn subway" (Salinger3). The fact that Holden was looked down upon by the fencing team meant that couldn't build a relationship with more than a one person at a time through sports. The connotation of the diction 'goddamn manager' shows how Holden feels about this job. He clearly isn't happy or else he would be talking up the spot and about all the positives. The reason he doesn't like it is because of the fact that he can't befriend the entire team. The connotation coming from the sarcastic phrase of " very big deal" shows Holden's self-confidence in the spot. He clearly isn't happy with it and it is entirely due to the fact that he is forced to have to bond with more than one other person. If Holden was a golf caddy he would become great friends with the golfer and they would have a great relationship. Although, since Holden can't just have one person with him he cannot even remember to bring the sports equipment with him to the event, he left all of it on the 'goddamn subway.' The profanity in this phrase suggests anger because of what he's done. However, he isn't mad that he let the team down, he is mad that he knew that was his last chance to create any kind of relationship on that team and he was fully aware that he ruined that opportunity. .
Finally, games bring Holden and one other person he is connecting to away from real life for a small amount of time.
