Chapter 9 Summary

Lipsha has mixed feelings about the money that he is making from June's bingo tickets. He calls it "insulation" rather than stability because the money is just enough for him to live, providing certain luxuries like fixing his ruined van. He has higher hopes for his financial insulation. He wants to impress Zelda in order to get her blessing on a union with Shawnee Ray. Overall, he wants to overcome any obstacle that stands between himself and Shawnee, including Shawnee herself. Thinking about her, he begins to ache with the memory of the night they spent together. Lipsha still remembers her smell and every moment in the motel room. He longs for them to meet that way again. Lipsha begins to wait around in his van hoping that Shawnee will pass the post office, the college or anywhere that he can speak to...