Chapter 5, Steamroller Summary

Jimmy walks past workers laying down pavement on his way from the cemetery where his mother was just buried. A song runs annoyingly through his head as he notices his surroundings in great detail, and he cannot remember what his mother looked like. He feels the memory of her hands and tenderness one last time while thinking about the glories of the sun, moon and stars.

Emile talks to a prostitute who helped him make Madam Rigaud jealous enough that she agreed to marry him, just as Congo predicted. She complains about how Congo treats her, and Emile steals a kiss and then walks off. As he approaches the delicatessen, he sees a fire and firefighters across from Madam Rigaud's shop. He asks about her insurance and tells her that he wants to marry her soon.

Ellen marries John Oglethorpe, which...