Summary

Perley describes his first night at Grandma Barlow’s home as a foster child. There, he meets Grandma Barlow’s grandson Altemonte, whom he recognizes as the “acorn kid” from school (166). Helen meanwhile approaches Rudy to ask for help. Rudy tells her and Perley’s parents that Perley is at Grandma Barlow’s house. He takes the three women to Aldi Birch’s house. Aldi Birch is the lawyer who helped bail out Rudy and Helen when they were arrested for planting fruit trees on the principal's property. Aldi offers his services for free, but Rudy insists on cutting down his white oak tree in exchange.

Child welfare services mail a reunification plan to Lily, which describes the conditions required for the reunification of the family. These conditions include the installation of a septic system, which Helen learns will...