Summary

Chapter 43 is titled “Dill.” Dill cooks supper after returning from the MTSU campus. He had planned to wait to talk about college until near the beginning of the semester, but he broaches the subject over dinner. His mother is angry, saying they had agreed he would remain at home and work. Dill says that was his mother's plan, not his own. She leaves the room, closing the door quietly. Dill realizes that this moment feels like all the other brave moments he has experienced recently.

Chapter 44 is titled “Lydia.” Lydia and Dill are in the school cafeteria together and Dill broaches the subject of prom night. Lydia is clearly derisive of prom but Dill suggests that they set out to make the evening as “pathetic” as possible. Lydia catches onto the idea. She says it will be the kind of evening that they...