Chapter 7 Summary

Within two weeks of being rescued by Nathan, Sophie was completely well. While Sophie gives Stingo the details of how Nathan took her to see his brother, Larry, who referred her to a nutrition specialist, Stingo cannot help but keep checking his watch, his mind on his hot date that night with Leslie Lapidus. With his mind on his own romance, Stingo asks Sophie how she felt about her whirlwind romance with Nathan. When Sophie's mood inexplicably darkens, Stingo wonders how the nice side of their relationship somehow led to the violence he has witnessed between them. Instead of dwelling on it, they finish lunch discussing literature; Sophie plans to spend the afternoon reading Faulkner.

Back in Stingo's room, he considers picking up where he left off in Crime and Punishment but is too caught up in fantasies about Leslie. Finally, the time...