Summary

In past tense narration, Tish tells the story of the night that she believes the baby was conceived – the day, she says that she and Fonny found a loft, rented to them by a friendly, accommodating landlord named Levy. The loft had enough space for Fonny to work, a rooftop balcony, lots of windows, a complicated series of locks, and a fire escape that led down into an enclosed courtyard. Tish describes in narration how supportive Levy was when Fonny was arrested, returning their deposit to her and saying that he could not rent the loft to anyone else, under the conditions of the owner’s policies. He also, Tish says, reminded her to be careful of the police.

“One of the most terrible, most mysterious things about a life,” Tish then comments in narration, “is...