Chapter 4 summary as brave as you

In Chapter 4, Genie goes outside again. A hill drops off near the house and Genie can see a girl on a porch at the bottom of the hill. She seems to be hammering but the boys cannot tell exactly what she is doing. Ernie barely hesitates before heading down the hill. Genie follows, but the hill is steep and he loses his footing so that he tumbles down the majority. Ernie is worried. Genie is unhurt but embarrassed. The girl identifies herself as Tess. She knows and likes Grandma and Grandpop. Tess shows the boys that she is flattening bottle caps, which she makes into earrings that she sells at a local flea market.

Tess agrees to show Ernie and Genie where she gets the bottle caps. She takes them into a building named Marlon's, which Ernie and Genie are surprised to discover is a bar. She introduces Genie and Ernie to the bartender, Jim, and asks for three “North Hill Specials” (78). Ernie and Genie are clearly worried about drinking alcohol but Tess waves away their concerns. Genie notices a blue light that emits an occasional buzz, and Tess explains that it is a bug zapper. Flies are irresistibly drawn to the light, then electrocuted. The drinks arrive. Ernie takes a sip, then smiles at Genie to show it is alright to drink. Genie immediately recognizes the taste of ginger beer. Jim and Tess give each other a high five and comment on the “city boys” (81). They leave the bar after about 15 minutes to find a storm is brewing. They run back home just as it begins to rain lightly.