Chapters 11 and 12 Summary

Chapter 11 - The next day, Himiko is visited by her father-in-law, who notes the Africa posters and maps and suggests that she and Bird sell the house and property and go to Africa. Himiko likes the idea, and Bird is immediately both enticed and repulsed, excited about fulfilling his dream but imagining that he would feel too guilty about abandoning his baby to really enjoy Africa. Later that night, Himiko and Bird have an extended sexual encounter, with Himiko having orgasm after orgasm while Bird delays his repeatedly, wanting to avoid ending both their intimacy and the distraction that sex provides. In the middle of one of Himiko's orgasms, however, the telephone rings. When the eager Bird answers it, he is told to report to the hospital for a meeting with the surgeon. As he's telling Himiko of his conviction that...