Timothy begins eighth grade. His mother loses her job. Timothy does not want to talk with Mrs. Bainbridge about his father’s phone calls. He writes Dr. Sawyer another email. Marisol returns. Timothy speaks to his mother about seeking help from the Carnival of Giving. She does not want it to be “a big deal” and worries about what people will say about them (205). Timothy convinces her it is time to let people help them.

Timothy finds the football he used to toss with his father on the coffee table. While Marisol watches Levi, Timothy and Annie go to the mall, and they see James and Mrs. Bainbridge on a date, holding hands and sharing an ice cream cone. Annie tells Timothy they are going to have to sell their house and move into an apartment complex.

Timothy meets with the guidance counselor about the Carnival of Giving. She tells him he is brave, but he believes she is “mistaking bravery/for flat-out/desperation” (209). Timothy’s mother fixes a hole in the wall, and Timothy compares the patched area to himself: It’s not perfect but gives the

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