Flying Solo

This chapter jumps to Sunday, April 30, and is from Karen’s perspective. Her parents are very mad with her, and Karen continues to repeat: “We ran the class, we did our work, we behaved ourselves” (121). She feels proud of how the day went on Friday. Her mother comes into her room and lets her know that Mr. Fabiano is on the phone for her even though it is Sunday night. Mr. Fabiano asks about what happened, and Karen tells him about all the work they did on Friday. She tells him about the rock ritual and how Bastian and Rachel got into the argument and cried about Tommy. Karen admits that she doesn’t think Mr. Fabiano should be upset with the class.

The final chapter occurs on Monday, May 1, in Mr. Fabiano’s classroom. Mr. Fabiano looks somber, but everything is going normally even though there are TV crews and reporters outside the school. Mr. Fabiano takes attendance, and Rachel speaks for the first time in six months, simply saying “I’m here” for the roll call. The class is shocked but happy to hear her talk again.