Chapter 8 Summary

Mary is extremely lonesome for her mother after she is committed to the psychiatric ward. In an effort to bolster spirits around the house, she starts behaving remarkably well in school and earns satisfactory conduct grades for the first time. Both girls are silent on the subject of their mother with Pete, even though they spend considerable time discussing her whereabouts. Since Pete is not forthcoming with any information, Mary and Lecia concoct a picture of their mother's mental-ward life based on a movie they see. The cinematic version is stereotypical, full of shock therapy and straight jackets, but it is the only depiction they have.

The kids in the neighborhood offer up an even worse picture. Mary's streak of good behavior quickly ends after the kids start spouting insults about Charlie. After several losing fights and encouragement from Pete to start defending...