Summary

In this section of the novel, which covers events in February, Jason’s mother dropped him off at the clinic where he had his speech therapy sessions. Jason was keeping a count down to his execution time, the time he’d have to read aloud at his school the following day. He referred to his speech impediment as “Hangman” because his teacher had been playing a game of hangman with the students when he had his first incident of stammering. In his session Mrs. de Roo asked if Jason had told his teacher about his problem. Jason had but the teacher, Mr. Kempsey, had told Jason it was time to face his demons. Even though Jason was able to read without stammering in Mrs. de Roo’s office, he knew he wouldn’t be able to at school the following day.

That night Jason...