The Garden of Eden

David works on his difficult story. He spends more time in the fictional world as his real life becomes more complicated. The story is based on his father’s life, although written in the first-person, so that David almost becomes his father, who “dealt so lightly with evil” (105). After he finishes writing, David feels as though he has lived many days at once. He locks away his writing materials and, as he walks toward the bar, realizes that he wishes he could ask his father for advice about his current predicament. He goes to the bar because “that’s where he would have found his father at that hour” (106). On reflection, David understands that his father’s personal life was chaotic, but he respected his father’s advice. He assures himself that he has the talent to write his father’s difficult story.

David takes a shower while Catherine and Marita are away. The sound of their voices returning makes him suddenly worried. They drink and eat lunch together. Catherine mentions that, now that they have all slept together individually, she wishes they “could all just make siesta together” (107). After lunch, Catherine encourages the reluctant David to go to Marita’s room, which he does.