Chapter 11

           Allofasudden,onmywayouttothelobby,IgotoldJaneGallagheronthebrainagain.Igotheron,andIcouldn’tgetheroff.Isatdowninthisvomity-lookingchairinthelobbyandthoughtaboutherandStradlatersittinginthatgoddamEdBanky’scar,andthoughIwasprettydamnsureoldStradlaterhadn’tgivenherthetime—IknowoldJanelikeabook—Istillcouldn’tgetheroffmybrain.Iknewherlikeabook.Ireallydid.Imean,besidescheckers,shewasquitefondofallathleticsports,andafterIgottoknowher,thewholesummerlongweplayedtennistogetheralmosteverymorningandgolfalmosteveryafternoon.Ireallygottoknowherquiteintimately.Idon’tmeanitwasanythingphysicaloranything—itwasn’t—butwesaweachotherallthetime.Youdon’talwayshavetogettoosexytogettoknowagirl.

           ThewayImether,thisDobermanpinschershehadusedtocomeoverandrelievehimselfonourlawn,andmymothergotveryirritatedaboutit.ShecalledupJane’smotherandmadeabigstinkaboutit.Mymothercanmakeaverybigstinkaboutthatkindofstuff.Thenwhathappened,acoupleofdayslaterIsawJanelayingonherstomachnexttotheswimmingpool,attheclub,andIsaidhellotoher.Iknewshelivedinthehousenexttoours,butI’dneverconversedwithherbeforeoranything.ShegavemethebigfreezewhenIsaidhellothatday,though.IhadahelluvatimeconvincingherthatIdidn’tgiveagoodgoddamwhereherdogrelievedhimself.Hecoulddoitinthelivingroom,forallIcared.Anyway,afterthat,JaneandIgottobefriendsandall.Iplayedgolfwithherthatsameafternoon.Shelosteightballs,Iremember.Eight.Ihadaterribletimegettinghertoatleastopenhereyeswhenshetookaswingattheball.Iimprovedhergameimmensely,though.I’maverygoodgolfer.