They Cage the Animals at Night

Monday morning, Jennings finds Sal driving his bus. Sal takes him to a diner for breakfast and says that he must take him back home. However, he will ask his mother if he can come and visit sometimes. He advises Jennings to keep making friends and liking people, even if they do go away, despite what Larry had told him the night before.

Sal takes Jennings home and speaks in private with his mother. Jennings listens through the door as Sal says that Jennings needs some time and care. His mother agrees that Sal can come and visit. Sal begins to visit on the weekends, taking Jennings, his mother, and Gene to picnics, to the beach, and on drives. He teaches Walter how to drive and cooks dinner. He even goes out alone with Jennings’ mother. The family changes. Everyone is happier than before, except George, who continues to get drunk frequently and hates Sal. One day Jennings presses George about why he hates Sal. George resents that he works hard for the family, and Sal simply came in and took over. Jennings realizes that George has worked hard to keep the family afloat during the hard times, and no one has given him credit.