Summary

Part Two, continued

In Chapter 19, a week passes after the funeral. Richie’s teacher sees that something is wrong with Richie, who is unfocused, sits strangely at his desk, and slouches. He refuses to say what is bothering him, so the teacher takes him to the nurse. The nurse finds terrible welts and bruises all over Richie’s back and backside. The nurse immediately shows the principal. Joy Rae is called in, and she blames the bruises on a playground accident. Joy Rae refuses to allow the nurse to check her, but the nurse insists. The bruising and welts on Joy Rae are even worse. Rose Tyler is then called in, as well as a sheriff’s deputy. At last, Joy Rae confesses they were beaten by their uncle for not cleaning the trailer. Though their parents were shouting and yelling, they did not...