Chapters 13-16 Summary

For six months, Gina abides by Emilio's canceling the usual Friday visits with her and Celestina, who insists on knowing why. Emilio says only that he needs time. The family rallies to make Celestina's Christmas happy. Aunt Rosa, seventy-four years old, speaks her mind about Carlo's whoring, which Gina has always known about. He beats her only once before she files for divorce. Emilio cannot tell her that he fears having a deadly, communicable disease. He wonders why God has allowed his life to go as it has, abandoning and raping him? Emilio is ashamed to have failed the test, but Danny's words force him to face reality, to eat and exercise properly and deal with his headaches and nightmares. In April of 2061, Emilio comes to Gina to apologize and explain his self-quarantine. He stammers through an explanation of why celibacy...