Chapters 53-58 Summary

Miami is as far away as Henry can get without leaving the US. He reads Henry Miller and drinks during the four-day, five-night trip. He rents a room for $6.50 a week from forty-five-year-old Mrs. Adams, who makes him consider how much he needs a nice lady to take care of him. He claims to be a developing magazine writer. Mr. Adams's struggle to breathe means Death. Henry buys peanut butter and moldy bread, then lies on his bed. In the morning, quiet means Mr. Adams is in the hospital or the morgue. A lady dressed in green, the outfit low-cut and tight, knocks to inform Henry of the overnight death and announce the tenants are collecting for flowers. Henry admits that talk of writing is meant only to impress Mrs. Adams, declines to donate 25¢, but offers to make love with the...