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; however, 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...