C.J. is pleased when all his friends gather at the hospital to visit him. He is less pleased that his stepfather Marcus makes a big show of concern in front of the doctors. C.J.’s mother refuses to acknowledge her husband’s violent temper, so she doesn’t report his abuse to the police. When C.J. is released with several broken ribs, Marcus insists on buying him a new PlayStation even though he already has one.

After the adults go to work, C.J. holes up at the fort. He installs the PlayStation for everybody to use. When his friends arrive, they are shocked that he didn’t stay home to rest. Further, they tell him how lucky he is:

“What have you got against Marcus?” Jason demands. “I’ve only got a dad part-time, Mitchell’s got no dad at all, and who knows if Evan’s ever going to see his folks again. Marcus is a great guy. You’re lucky!” (75).

Ricky feels depressed about being an outsider. Everyone resents his intelligence. “They hate it that I’m at their school, taking classes with them. But when I try to get out of their school, I’m a snob who thinks he’s too smart for Canaan Middle” (78).