Summary

Basil finds a new job at "a LensCrafters in Pocatello" (156). Because Pocatello is "the ninth-happiest city in Idaho," Basil hopes it will alleviate his heartbreak (156). He keeps dreaming about Muriel and the volcano. He is haunted by the valentines he wrote. He cannot fathom what happens "to all the one-sided desire in the world" (156).

Eleven years later, Basil meets Mags Futrell, "a drunken English department secretary" (156). Despite her alcohol problem, Basil marries her. They buy "a two-bedroom rancher" and Mags gets pregnant (156). Mags "stays mostly sober" during the pregnancy, and gives birth to a baby boy, Otis (156). Basil takes his paternal responsibilities seriously, pushing Otis all around the neighborhood in his stroller.

When "Otis turns five," Mags relapses (156). Basil confronts her, but Mags has no interest in sobriety. She disappears for several days.

"Around this time" Otis starts wearing a "superhero cape day...