The Plague Of Doves

After the wedding, Geraldine and Antone drive to the Knights of Columbus hall for the wedding feast. After they cut the cake, Antone takes the cake topper made by Evelina to keep on his desk. Afterwards, they go home, having decided to save up for a later honeymoon. Antone kisses her through the veil, and they have sex until evening. They eat wedding cake in bed and have sex again. “I wondered if we’d ever leave that bed. I didn’t want to” (272). Antone is too excited to sleep, especially pleased with how the Milk family has embraced their marriage, despite Antone’s previous and infamous affair with a married woman off the reservation. Antone has never told Geraldine about this woman, whom he calls C., although he’s sure she knows. Eating in bed makes Antone think of C., reflecting on how he thought he’d never love anyone else.

Antone describes C. as a wrestler—larger than him but with grace and quick sexual movements. They would frequently eat in bed, and Antone would return to his mother’s house smelling strongly. When questioned, he told his mother that he got a job at a creamery, but she misheard cemetery, which he doesn’t correct.