Jackson considers Crenshaw’s return to be a sign that “the moving, the craziness,” and “even the homelessness” might be coming back (145). He tries to convince himself to “make the best of it” but can’t help thinking about everything he will miss if the family is uprooted again (145). His school principal has called Jackson an “old soul,” and Jackson reflects that he often feels like “the most grown-up” person in his family, which is why he feels his parents should be honest with him (147).

Jackson recalls an incident the previous fall when a raccoon entered their apartment through an open window in the middle of the night. Aretha had begun barking, and the family ran into the kitchen to find a raccoon eating the dog’s food. Sara frantically called 9-1-1. Robin brought out her doll’s baby carriage, “in case the raccoon wanted to go for a ride,” eliciting alarm from Sara (147). Tom tried to scare the raccoon away by playing an “earsplitting screechy sound” on his electric guitar (148). Finally, Jackson took charge, whistling to get his family’s attention then ordering them to sit on the couch.