Damnation Spring

The Gundersens return from a shopping trip to find a raging Eugene waiting at home for them. Rich has to shield Colleen and Chub from him to get them safely in the house. Eugene brandishes the newspaper, which features a photo of the shell-shocked Gundersens leaving the hearing. Eugene warns Rich, “We’re in a war here” (308), adding that there will be consequences if Rich chooses the wrong side. Eugene drives off in a rage.

Rich and Colleen argue. Rich confronts his wife with the mint he found in her car. She says it was from sharing water samples with Daniel and nothing more.

After days of stewing and feeling persecuted by the community, Colleen finally gives Rich a straight answer: Yes, she did sleep with Daniel. They argue, and Colleen says Rich’s lack of interest in her sexually pushed her into Daniel’s arms. As they trade jabs, Rich stumbles on more water samples in the kitchen cupboard and smashes the jars. Colleen takes refuge from her furious husband with Chub, while Rich storms outside to chop wood.

Colleen wakes in the night to find she is alone. Rich has gone.