Chapters 1-5: The Catch; Hector Goes into a Sponge State and Has a Satori; Boys, Dogs, Science Fiction; Rodeo Show; Leg Buds Summary

The first five chapters introduce the reader to the important characters of the novel - Debbie, Hector, Lenny, Phil and Patty - all young teens floating through a spring and summer of early adolescence. Chapter one finds Debbie scanning through the pages of her older sister's teen magazine, looking at the happy smiling faces of boys and girls, some happy couples, and wishing that something, just one good thing, would happen to her soon. As she re-words her wish, she contemplates that wording wishes correctly is difficult. One does not want to phrase it in a manner that would be harmful...