Chapter 4 Summary and Analysis

Torey wakes from her crying session and settles down with a sandwich to watch Star Trek. The hour-long program allows Torey time to decompress from work and switch to relaxation mode. As Star Trek is ending,Torey's boyfriend Chad arrives with ice cream. They sit together and Torey tells him all about her day. Chad suggests that Torey contact Sheila's previous teacher. Torey calls Mrs. Barthuly and listens as the woman lists incident after incident with Sheila. The conversation leaves Torey more discouraged because she realizes that everything has been tried with Sheila and she wonders what she will be able to do to help the little girl.

The next day, as Torey and Anton plan their day, Sheila is dragged into the room by a social worker. The social worker explains that Sheila will be arriving a half hour early...