Chapters 13 & 14: The Swan, The Tree Breaks Through the Rock Summary

Things escalate at Aunt Queenie's house when Punky dumps a bottle of her expensive shampoo down the toilet just to watch it bubble. It's been nine days since Delrita's parents died and she decides it's time to return to school. On her walk, Delrita shoves her hands in her pockets and discovers the package Walt gave to her. It's a beautifully carved swan in flight and a note that reads, "Life is like an untouched block of wood. We can carve out a beautiful niche for ourselves, or we can leave it unused and unproductive on a shelf" (p.117). Immediately, Delrita knows that she wants to carve a swan of her own. She turns the swan over and over in her hands, marveling at its beauty. At...