Crossed-eyed Mikey Molloy, who is eleven years old, lives in Frank’s neighborhood. He knows about the female body and “Dirty Things in General.” Mikey’s mother, Nora, is often admitted to the lunatic asylum because her husband frequently drinks away all of the money, leaving her frantic about how to feed her family. Before she is taken away, Nora obsessively bakes bread to ensure that her children do not starve while she is gone. It is unclear to what degree Nora is actually crazed and to what degree she enjoys getting some peace and quiet at the asylum.