Summary

In Chapter 9, Lacey goes to her friend Denay’s house to study with her and their friend Taffy, all three bible study girls. The girls discuss assignments, without saying what theirs are.

In Chapter 10, Cherry and Lacey go to Pac n’ Save. In the aisle, they pass an old man called Gentry Roo who is frozen in place asks for help. He is thirsty, he is avoiding drinking water as instructed. They give him canned peaches. He drinks the syrup, revitalized.

It is now mid-August and Lacey returns to school. She sees the cheerleaders outside before class, who are not a part of GOTS Church and drink from bottled water, as Vern forbids. Lacey is jealous. He walks past her, entwining their pinkies for a second. Lacey decides not to go.

She runs away until a car pulls up next to her. It is...