Chapter 22, Fizz Powder Summary

In the shop, Oskar's mother sold woodruff fizz powder in disgusting little green packets. The packets are designed to be mixed with water as a less expensive substitute for soda pop. They also come in raspberry, orange and lemon. A few days after Oskar's sixteenth birthday, a package of fizz powder fell out of Maria's beach bag. After much hesitation, Maria empties the powder into her palm. Oskar spits on the powder, which begins to hiss and bubble. Maria flushes, and licks the powder from her hand.

Matzerath joins a skat club. Because he will be away from home one evening per week, it is decided that Oskar will sleep at Mother Truczinski's with Maria. When Oskar refuses to sleep on the sofa, Maria agrees to share a bed with him, saying Oskar is only an eighth of a...