Summary

In Chapter 4, Chouette’s father returns from Thanksgiving dinner with his family “full of sudden, uncharacteristic hope” (107). His brothers have convinced him that there are medical treatments for Chouette’s condition. Suddenly “exuberant about [Chouette’s] future,” the husband picks her up and tosses her “into the air” (108). Tiny marks this moment as the start of their familial problems.

Although Tiny loves Chouette “the way she is,” her husband insists on bringing her to doctors and specialists (109). When he brings home a “‘therapy dog,’” Chouette kills it (111). Tiny hides the truth from her husband.

Whenever Tiny thinks about her secret friend, she feels aroused. She longs “to be touched, and held, and cherished” (112). She writes her friend a thank you note and invites her over. When the secret friend does not reply immediately, Tiny gets worried. Finally the secret friend responds. Tiny writes back...