Chapter 16 Summary

The next morning, nearly all the houses on the block are flying their flags half-mast. Toby stays in his room and watches the activities next door from his bedroom window. Toby sees Cal attempt to water the ladybugs but give up and kicks one of the crates. Toby has never seen him angry before this.

Three days later Toby is still in his room. Toby watches Billy and Mr. McKnight leave for the fields each day, but he never sees Mrs. McKnight leave. The whole town seems to have changed, closed up their businesses, and stopped laughing like they might have done before. The phone rings a lot but Toby refuses to answer, afraid it will be Cal. Toby does not know what to say to Cal. At dinner, Toby's Dad says his Mom called and would be calling back. After dinner, Toby's...