Summary

In Chapter 13, titled “The Plague from Above,” Karen returns home after listening to Anka’s tapes. She gives Mama (who is now bald from her cancer treatment) and Deeze each a brownie that the hippies gave her. They become high and have a wonderful evening together telling jokes and watching television. Karen takes out the garbage and overhears the landlord, Jack Gronan, talking with Sylvia, his wife. Karen cannot hear the context of what they are talking about, but it something to do with Jack taking the fall for something and Sylvia being upset that he must go away. Karen is spotted by Sylvia and chased back to her apartment.

Back in her apartment, Karen finds Deeze, who just got a new haircut from Mama. He shows Karen a pair of ‘darumas’ he bought from an antique store. They are colorful faces without...