Cheri, Chapters 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 Summary

Cheri does not return home the next day and finds excuses to stay with Desmond while the two young men lead bachelor lifestyles of going to restaurants, drinking, and driving in Cheri's car . One night, Cheri and Desmond go to the apartment of a woman named the Pal who smokes opium and entertains all types of guests. Cheri does not indulge and leaves quickly once he sees a string of pearls around the Pal's neck. Desmond occasionally challenges Cheri about returning to Edmee, but Cheri remains with Desmond unwilling to return to the cloying world of his wife and mother. Weeks go by and once more Cheri visits the Pal only to leave when realizing that the woman is not wearing her pearls.

Cheri's habit of walking alone at night takes him to the street where Lea's house is...