Summary

Chapter 38 is titled “Now We're Cookin'." It opens as everyone is gathering for a neighborhood cookout. Ruby is wearing lots of Band-aids. She says she likes how they smell and how nice people are when she is wearing them. She says the exception is Olive, who says Ruby can “trip over my own shadow” (211). Delsie thinks of Ruby as her little sister and becomes determined to be “extra good to her” (212). Olive approaches Ruby and Delsie stays near, feeling the need to be certain Olive is not mean to Ruby. Delsie notes that Esme is also nearby. Olive notes their presence and says she needs to talk to Ruby without a committee overseeing them. She hands Ruby a box that contains a beautiful dress for Ruby and a matching dress for her doll. Olive says Ruby has been saying she wants a specific...