Summary

Chapter 26. Grayson continues to share stories of his life as a pitcher and his talks soon transition into baseball “lessons” for Maniac. Although Grayson is much too old to actually pitch, he teaches his signature move, the stopball, to Maniac. As summer turns into fall, Grayson begins to realize a collection of books is gathering in the band shell and questions Maniac. Maniac reveals he has been taking the money Grayson gives him and has been using it to buy books at the library’s used book sale. The chapter culminates with Grayson admitting he doesn’t know how to read and asking Maniac to help him learn.

Chapter 27. Maniac finds out Grayson’s parents had been alcoholics and the had been put into special classes where he spent his time cutting paper and playing games rather than learning to read. At the age of 15, Grayson...