Summary

In Chapter 31, Benson makes a type of Japanese soup, and Mitsuko commends its quality. Later, Benson accompanies Mitsuko to a nearby church. There, Benson watches Mitsuko pray. In Chapter 32, Benson attends Ximena’s wedding reception. During the reception, he receives a call from his father, who says that he is having a little trouble breathing. Omar gives Benson a ride to Benson’s father’s apartment. Benson sits with his father, who is feeling better, and then Lydia comes to take over for Benson. Omar picks up Benson, and they begin to have sex in Omar’s car. Benson says that he is HIV positive, and so they do not have penetrative sex. Later that night, Mike phones Benson. Mike says that his father is now deceased, so Mike is returning to Houston.

The novel then begins a long section from Mike’s...