Summary

Otto and William visited Sharon. To Otto, her apartment "portrayed the humility of daily life" (56). Sharon looked like her childhood self, like a ghost from the past. Observing her space, Otto wondered why things were so important. He hated the way he valued belongings.

Sharon mentioned a sculpture she planned on buying, per Otto's suggestion. Otto had no recollection of ever mentioning a sculpture. Then, Sharon had a remarkable memory. As if she were unhindered by the passage of time, nothing "in her brain ever sifted down out of precedence" (57). William interrupted, remarking at a déjà vu he was experiencing. He and Sharon began discussing the nonlinearity of time. Otto was disinterested. He watched the teabag, wondering aloud about how flavor was disseminated (58). Sharon provided a rapid response. She had always been the smartest of the siblings. Otto wondered about the difference...