He needed money for his security deposit, had a line on an apartment in Brooklyn. I should have thought about it- Oscar never asked anybody for money-but I didn’t, fell over myself to give it to him. My guilty conscience. We smoked the blunt and talked about the problems me and Lola were having. You should never have had carnal relations with that Paraguayan girl, he pointed out. I know, I said, I know.
She loves you.
I know that.
Why do you cheat on her, then?
If I knew that, it wouldn’t be a problem.
Maybe you should try to find out.
He stood up.
You ain’t going to wait for Lola?
I must be away to Paterson. I have a date.
You’re shitting me?
He shook his head, the tricky fuck.
I asked: Is she beautiful?
He smiled. She is.
On Saturday he was gone.

(312-313)