One for the Murphys

Carley coaches Daniel again on basketball skills, offering him advice to build his courage and confidence. At first he resists, and they spar verbally. Daniel brings up the night when Carley ran out of the house, and Carley agrees that it was a bad night. She tells Daniel, “Your mother has been nice to me…but she’ll never be my mom” (143). Daniel’s demeanor toward Carley changes then; he’s more receptive to her jokes, coaching, and comments. By the chapter’s end, he’s eager to play basketball and try to beat her. 

In the cafeteria, Rainer insults Carley and throws cooked carrots at her from the next table. Carley restrains herself, wishing that she could walk out. Toni surprises her by coming to sit at her table. Toni insults Rainer and threatens to beat him so effectively that he stops his behavior and looks away. Carley thanks Toni for her help, and Toni replies with a smart comment and a complaint about a new project in social studies. Carley is relieved: “…I know that we’re okay” (146).

Daniel and Carley are shooting baskets in the driveway when they hear Michael Eric crying three houses down. They run to see him and find the boy who lives there, Jimmy Partin.