Summary

In “September,” Claudia told the story of her best friend Monday’s year-long disappearance. In “The Before,” Claudia reflected on the day before eighth grade began. She had spent the summer in Georgia with her grandmother and immediately asked Ma about Monday. She could not get in contact with Monday by phone. She went to the first day of school and Monday was not there. Claudia was nervous because Monday was her only friend. After school, Claudia went to Monday’s house, even though Ma did not allow her to go there alone. Monday lived in Ed Borough Complex, a poor and often dangerous public housing area. Monday’s mother opened the door and told her that Monday was not home. She yelled at Claudia to leave. At home, Daddy returned home from work as a long-distance truck driver. Ma insisted that Monday...