Summary

Dress Rehearsal / Sari Séance – Kiran’s narration of the dress rehearsal for the talent show includes references to Sarah and Melissa having been suspended for their apparent involvement in the school fire. He also refers to how the other kids in the show make comments about him, even after listening to his good singing. That night, he performs a bit of a ritual, or séance for himself. He surrounds himself with, among other things, his costume; a picture of a strong male torso from his Penthouse magazine; and a picture of Krishna at his most powerful. He lights his cherished Strawberry Shortcake candle and chants, recalling how a teacher once told him that the hottest part of a flame was its blue core. This leads him to “make a connection to my own life … I burn more intensely … like a...