When Phoebe arrives Saturday morning, she immediately complains that Sal’s room will be too crowded for both of them. Sal tries to be patient with her, but when Phoebe explains that her mother says hosts are supposed to “sacrifice” for their guests, Sal retorts, “I suppose your mother made a great sacrifice when she took off” (158). Phoebe insists that her mother was kidnapped before beginning to complain again, this time about her worries that she has a brain tumor. The girls stop by Mary Lou’s house after dinner, but find their friend out on a date. Ben is there, however, and commiserates with Sal about Phoebe’s behavior; while they talk, Sal suppresses the urge to touch his face. That night, Sal’s father knocks on the girls’ bedroom door, having heard Phoebe crying. Phoebe, however, insists that she’s fine.

Sal walks Phoebe home on Sunday, and Phoebe learns from her father that her mother spoke to Mrs. Cadaver on the phone. Phoebe insists that Mrs. Cadaver is lying (and in fact murdered Mrs. Winterbottom), and after an argument, Mr. Winterbottom agrees to alert the police if his wife doesn’t call home soon. In private, Phoebe tells Sal that she plans to contact the police herself.