Fall 1988-Winter 1989, Chapter 18 Summary

In winter the projects are stifling hot with apartment temperatures typically in the mid-eighties. The only way to find relief from the oven-like conditions is to open windows, but then frigid drafts blow in. Lafeyette has developed a blistering cough as a result. In order to get the children out of the torrid conditions, LaJoe takes Pharoah and the triplets, plus her grandchildren and one of their friends, to see the holiday window decorations downtown. She assumes Lafeyette will feel too old so she doesn't take him along, which she later regrets. LaJoe and the eight children take a bus downtown. They are in awe of the pedestrians on the street and the mechanical dolls in the windows. They express a desire to live with the toys as they look so magical and happy. They visit the downtown Christmas...