Chapter 6 Summary

Fat's new therapist, Maurice, helps him cope with divorce and tries to bully him into enjoying life. Fat should take drugs and have sex - or kill himself immediately rather than wait for Sherri to die. Maurice considers cancer a deliberate failure of the immune system and declares that Sherri is a rip-off artist, tapping Fat and Medicare. Fat tries to avoid talking about God but, once drawn in, shocks Maurice by his Gnostic ramblings, Maurice demands that he read Genesis and prioritize its themes. Fat's self-image is deflated.

Fat and Sherri share an apartment in a crime-ridden part of Santa Ana. She calls her church job Jesus' sweatshop. Administering social programs that junkies try to exploit adds to her cynicism. Sherri resents everyone except Larry, the priest for whom she lusts. He does little to resolve her problems at work with employees...