Friday afternoon, Mrs. Loski busily prepares for the dinner. She requires the family members to put on nicer clothes than usual. Bryce thinks his mother acts “hyper” and overly concerned about the food, table settings, and their appearance. After all, it is just the Bakers; however, he cannot decide what to wear, and finally just pulls on a shirt when the doorbell rings.

When the Bakers arrive, Juli is angry and reveals that she heard Bryce’s rude comments with Garrett in the school library. She storms off to talk with Granddad and Mr. Baker. Bryce is upset, worried, and more nervous than he was while choosing a shirt for their arrival. His father’s comments about the Bakers are still bothering Bryce, and he realizes that his father, who looks small next to Mr. Baker, is putting on a “phony show” (149) of friendliness. When his mother requests it, Bryce fetches his sister and Juli’s brothers from Lynetta’s room, where they are listening to music. He attempts to stand near Juli’s conversation with Granddad and Mr. Baker about perpetual motion but has nothing to say. He tries to apologize when his mother calls everyone to the table, but Juli will not have it.