Summary

Verna sits with her mother while they eat breakfast, and she reveals that she has not finished her social studies project yet. Her mother is incensed by her use of slang. She believes that Jolly is a negative influence.

In Chapter 52, Jolly plans to ask for money from a local “billionaire” who gives to the needy and deserving. She makes the distinction that this is different from welfare because she is deserving. Verna helps her format her letter. Jolly is motivated and she does not blame anybody else for her not knowing how to write the letter properly. She is proud when she figures it out.

In Chapter 53, Jolly tells Verna more about her childhood. She was homeless and struggled to provide for herself.

In Chapter 54, Jolly tells Verna that her late grandmother tried her best to take care of her. The girls...