Barry has been looking after Daniel for a week. Barry respects his discipline in studying; at the same age, Barry was only interested in Morris. Daniel is studying in Carmel’s front room. She has decorated it to her own taste, and both Barry and Maxine despise the style. Barry refers to Carmel as “the Goddess of Bad Taste” (191), and Maxine refers to her mom’s style as “beyond kitsch.” Barry’s experience in a history of art class further soured him toward Carmel’s décor. In that class, he had a sexual affair with a classmate, Stephen. Barry was in awe of Stephen’s apartment: Its “wood and metal, leather and brick” seemed to represent the possibility of life with another man (192). Barry’s affair with Stephen continued until Stephen required a romantic relationship from Barry that he could not commit to.

Barry allows Daniel to go out with his friends to unwind after his exam preparation, though Donna has strictly prohibited this. Barry wakes up at 2:37 a.m. to loud music blaring; he first confuses it for the sound of a train moving underneath him, as it vibrates the whole house.