45 pages 1 hour read

Morgan Talty

Night of the Living Rez

Fiction | Short Story Collection | Adult | Published in 2022

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

“In a Field of Stray Caterpillars”Chapter Summaries & Analyses

“In a Field of Stray Caterpillars” Summary

While waiting for Fellis to receive treatment at the methadone clinic, Dee struggles to find an unoccupied restroom. While waiting for an attendant to finish cleaning a restroom, Dee reflects on his relationship with Tabitha, a white woman he’s been seeing. He senses that their relationship has been coming to an end, though right now the two are split “[n]ot physically, but mentally” (89).

Dee drives Fellis home and they find that the roads are covered in caterpillars that reek when they are killed. Tabitha calls Dee at Fellis’s house, but Dee refuses to take the call. Dee and Fellis have a list of errands to run, including dropping off a DVD rental and delivering Adderall to Fellis’s aunt. As they drive to complete the errands, the scent of the caterpillars is so overwhelming that Fellis has to get out of the car to vomit and Dee, unable to get out in time, vomits in the vehicle. Fellis buys cigars to cover the stench, and the pair complete their errands in a haze of cigar smoke.

Dee calls Tabitha when they get back to Fellis’s, but he ends the conversation before Tabitha can express what she wants to say.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 45 pages of this Study Guide
Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools