Part 1, Chapter 11 Summary

1946. Rudolph and Julie are at a party, but Rudolph is not feeling well and uncomfortable with the teenage scene. Axel and Mary have continued to argue, with Mary demanding thirty thousand dollars from Axel before she will allow him to share her bed again, thinking that this is the amount of money she has earned over the years working in the bakery. Rudolph is afraid his future will end just like his father's, working in the bakery, now that his opportunity to go to college has passed. This adds to Rudolph's stress and makes him envious of the kids around him who are looking forward to college and a prosperous future.

Rudolph and Julie argue as they leave the party, mostly about Boylan. Rudolph believes that if they could make love it would ease the tension between them, but Rudolph does...