Exactly how steamy is this story?
PG
Any sexy stuff in this story happens "off page." We learn that Norma Jean and Leroy were married at 18, and that their baby Randy was born just a few months later. With this information, we can assume they had the hots for each other as teenagers, which led to an unplanned pregnancy and a "shotgun marriage."
But 18 years later, things have clearly cooled off, as there is absolutely no sexy stuff going on in the story, although Leroy still finds Norma Jean attractive:
She is still pretty. Her skin is flawless. (1.16)
Leroy thinks of her as "the woman he loves" (1.16), but he seems less sure of her attraction to him. While watching goldfinches at the birdfeeder, Leroy thinks:
Norma Jean closes her eyes when they are in bed. She wants the lights turned out. Even then, he is sure she closes her eyes (2.1).
Sorry Leroy, but it doesn't sound like you're quite the hunk you used to be.