Summary

In Chapter 5.2, over the following years, Willem begins to leave town more often for work. Jude also begins to suffer increased pain in his back and legs, but he does not tell Willem about it. Willem and Jude have hired Malcolm to design a house for them north of the city. Willem and Jude have been having sex semi-regularly for the past 18 months. Jude hates having sex, but he pretends to enjoy it, for he fears that Willem will leave him if they never have sex. Jude is never able to have erections during sex, and he lies to Willem that it is because of nerve damage from a car crash. No matter how hard Jude tries to enjoy the sex, it is always horribly unpleasant for him. Jude begins cutting himself more. One night, Willem catches him in the act and begs him...