Chapters 7 through 9 Summary and Analysis

In chapter seven, Jim Bob had taken several of the children on a trip that included a stop in Nashville when one of the youngsters, Johanna, complained of an itchy back. When Jill lifted the little girl's shirt to see why she was itching, she discovered chicken pox. The older children had had chicken pox years earlier and it swept through the younger ones as they completed their trip and returned home. Meanwhile, Josie was released from the hospital. Michelle and her longtime friend, Cindy Pascoe, were alone with Josie when the older children discovered chicken pox. Michelle and Josie remained in Little Rock waiting for the epidemic to complete its course through the rest of the family in order to keep Josie from being exposed. In total, twelve of the children contracted chicken pox. Michelle said it was...