Summary

Chapter seven opens with an anecdote about the time right before his family’s move to Broken River that Karl left a grocery bag with Chinese takeout and $500 worth of marijuana on the subway. Karl, from whose perspective the audience sees the events of the chapter, has learned since then that it is possible to obtain both good Chinese snacks and marijuana in Broken River. He has also made plans to continue his affair with Rachel.

He has found a loophole in Eleanor’s demand that he not return to Brooklyn for at least a year so that he cannot sleep with Rachel. His self-congratulations are interrupted by Irina asking him if he has a stomachache, as he is audibly moaning. He lies and tells her that he does.

Karl is driving Irina into Broken River for an art class and guitar lesson, during...