Chapters 21 through 29 Summary

A woman named Nicole begins to write to Henry and they exchange letters. As she lives in Los Angeles, Henry visits her during a lull in his relationship with Lydia. Nicole is heavily interested in literature, widely read, and widely traveled. She apparently views Henry as an up-and-coming poet and finds his writing raw and powerful, comparing it to a sledgehammer. Their first visit is cordial but charged and Henry finds her sexually attractive. Lydia's sister Angela visits from Utah for a few days. Lydia decides to introduce Angela to Marvin, Henry's poet friend. Angela and Marvin hit it off but on the drive home, Henry begins to accuse Lydia of having had sex with Marvin on a previous occasion. Lydia denies the charges and a fight ensues which culminates in Lydia ejecting Henry from the automobile. He walks around until...