Chapter 7

           Onemorning,there’sthedeadjellyfishofausedcondomfloatinginthetoilet. 

           ThisishowTylermeetsMarla. 

           Igetuptotakealeak,andthereagainstthesortofcavepaintingsofdirtinthetoiletbowlisthis. Youhavetowonder,whatdospermthink. 

           This? 

           Thisisthevaginalvault? 

           What’shappeninghere? 

           Allnightlong,IdreamedIwashumpingMarlaSinger. MarlaSingersmokinghercigarette. MarlaSingerrollinghereyes. Iwakeupaloneinmyownbed,andthedoortoTyler’sroomisclosed. ThedoortoTyler’sroomisneverclosed. Allnight,itwasraining. Theshinglesontheroofblister,buckle,curl,andtheraincomesthroughandcollectsontopoftheceilingplasteranddripsdownthroughthelightfixtures. 

           Whenit’sraining,wehavetopullthefuses. Youdon’tdareturnonthelights. ThehousethatTylerrents,ithasthreestoriesandabasement. Wecarryaroundcandles. Ithaspantriesandscreenedsleepingporchesandstained-glasswindowsonthestairwaylanding. Therearebaywindowswithwindowseatsintheparlor. Thebaseboardmoldingsarecarvedandvarnishedandeighteenincheshigh. 

           Theraintricklesdownthroughthehouse,andeverythingwoodenswellsandshrinks,andthenailsineverythingwooden,thefloorsandbaseboardsandwindowcasings,thenailsinchoutandrust.