Luster

Chapter 8 begins with Eric’s announcement “that the neighbor’s dog has been shot” (193). Rebecca ignores Edie while Edie desires “to tell her that I have been painting […] something is happening on my canvas, whatever soft, human calculus makes a thing alive, gives a painted eye roots and retina and makes it look like it can see” (194). Edie wavers in her decision over whether to have another abortion as “I feel unlike myself, spry and nocturnal and inclined to believe that this pregnancy is part of the reason my paintings are any good” (194). The family prepares for Comic-Con, and Edie works a hot comb through Akila’s hair. She ponders how Akila’s hair will develop over time.

Since his trip to the hospital, Eric has been hiding his drinking less. The police investigation of the murder of the neighbor’s dog continues outside as they rush to make it to the city. They arrive at Comic-Con, and Eric, Edie, and Akila navigate the crowded convention center as Rebecca tries to find a parking space. Eric takes mushrooms and falls more and more under the influence of the hallucinogen until he falls ill.