Summary

This chapter begins when Ward is a counselor at a day camp. She is 15 and she meets Ronald, who is nine. He’s considered an attractive boy and people say he’ll be a heartbreaker when he grows up. Ward volunteers at the Christian camp to give herself something to do. She is also going through a devout Christian phase and likes the idea of a man who will love her unconditionally and never leave her.

She teaches dance at the camp. Ronald is a charming boy who likes to show off. He is respectful in the dance class and catches on quickly. He tells Ward he’s going to marry her someday.

As Ronald grows older, he remains handsome and charming. He is confident, especially with women. Ward does not see at the time that there is also a darkness in...