Chapters 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 Summary

Chapter 14 - Enter Buddy - Laura is closing up the church after services when an attractive man approaches her and introduces himself as Buddy. He and Laura talk flirtatiously, and at one point discuss that Essie is much more serious about life than Laura. They go out for a night of drinking and more flirting, with narration describing the way in which they both avoid talking about their real ages. Image within image symbolism is used again here in describing that what passes between them at the table has the energy and sparkling glint of the diamond eyes of the serpent in the Adam and Eve mural at the church.

Chapter 15 - Enter Marty - As they're lying in bed after a night of loving, Buddy and Laura hatch a plan to sell ordinary tap water as Holy Water from the...