Summary

The fourth chapter is titled “2008.” Two years have passed since the previous chapter. Jane sets up a week's worth of guest speakers for the “People in Our Community” unit at school. Mr. Robicheaux is the other second-grade teacher, and he is skeptical until Jane points out this will fill up time during which he will not need to teach. Jane likes having him as her fellow teacher because “even on her worst days, she knew she was a better teacher than Mr. Robicheaux” (123). Mr. Robicheaux suggests Albert Jackson as one of the speakers. Everyone calls him Banjo, and he is a bartender at the bar called the Sportsman. He demonstrates how to make a gin fizz, then gives it to Mr. Robicheaux to drink. Mr. Robicheaux is soon napping. Banjo provides the children with juice, fruit, shot glasses, soda, and seltzer. The students put on...